Yes your luggage will go through security. I am not sure where you could leave it when you actually tour.

Just keep it in your backpack and don't try to sneak a photo.

They just make coins. There is a place in DC that prints outs the paper money.

As I recall - NO photos are allowed at all!

Hayley, it depends on how fascinated or interested you are in the minting process. It is a self guided tour so you set your own pace. It will depend on others in your party, especially small children will not be amused. A quick visit would be 15 minutes, if you stop, watch, read all the information and stop at the store, an hour easily. Enjoy

They work around the clock. However, whether there is a lot of people working on the production floor or not will not impact the value of your visit.

No tickets, but when you go up you get in line and the adults show their photo id's and then the guard lets you in. Then you go through a metal detector and have to put all your belongings on a conveyor belt to be scanned.

No tickets required. If your schedule is flexible, keep an eye on their schedule as they do not operate the machinery 7 days a week. It's much more interesting if you go on a day they are working.

better to view with my eyes not my phone, sorry I have no problem with no photography inside.

You could try calling them at 1-800-872-6468 - it wasn't running when we were there but it's still interesting walking through it and seeing all of the machinery and the history of the facility. Have fun!