Gold and the $5 Banana!
- 4-1-2011
- Categorized in: Economy, Politics, Rare Coins
Why on God’s green earth would anyone want to pay more than the face (or intrinsic) value for anything? That defies common sense – - – doesn’t it?
After all, you wouldn’t go to the grocer and spend $5.00 a pound for bananas when you can buy them all day long for 50 cents a pound. Of course you wouldn’t! And that, dear friend is the argument (in fact the only argument) for buying bullion gold and silver. Buy it cheap – sell it dear!
There’s a problem with that philosophy however. That problem, as it relates to coins, hangs on the question of why you are buying the stuff in the first place.
Here’s the deal: If you buy gold and silver because you want to hedge against the “unlikely” possibility that your government may debase your paper money (of course we all know that couldn’t happen) and you intend to turn that metal back into paper money when the governmental damage has run its course, then any old form of gold or silver will work fine.
If, on the other hand, you feel the whole governmental Ponzi scheme is ready to implode and the only way to survive is to possess gold and silver, then you want to hold easily recognizable gold and silver. Gold and silver in a form that everyone knows and would willingly exchange for food, shelter, transportation and the other necessities of life. That would immediately rule out bullion (unless you carry an assay kit and scales with you).
But – there is another way to own gold, a way that builds upon the reliability of the two forms mentioned above and which adds a layer of safety not available to either bullion or bullion coins. Rare coins.
Yeah, I know! The $5 a pound banana!
However, you get something for that extra expense. Something that you cannot get anywhere else: Security!
Security from your financial safety net being confiscated by Uncle Sugar so that he can pay his own bills. What? Your favorite Uncle would steal from you? Well, let me ask you: What the hell do you think he has been doing since 2008? And, he has proven himself to have a poor track record, he’s done it before. Back in 1933!
President Roosevelt made it illegal for Americans to own gold (there was a hefty fine and the possibility of imprisonment if you didn’t turn in your gold). Immediately after the confiscation of American’s hard money the government didn’t even blink before it doubled the price, thereby robbing the American people. (That seems to be a nasty government habit.) The argument for Roosevelt taking the action he did was to expand the money supply. Given the Gold Standard under which we operated at the time, money could not just be “created” as it can now.
(Important Side Note: The program was a dismal failure. All it accomplished was to condition Americans to trust government fiat money and to be left fearful and ignorant about owning gold – a condition that still exists today even though it has been legal for citizen to own gold since 1975.)
But, there was a loophole in Roosevelt’s plan: They allowed for individuals to keep any coins that were considered “investment” or “rare” coins.
So, Uncle Sugar stuck it to us in 1933 – if the situation gets further out of hand, what assurance do we have that he won’t do it again? His word? What is that worth?
There is another benefit to investment coins: They pass through an individual’s estate tax free! Since there is no social security number required in the purchase or sale (at least at present) there is no trace of who owns what. Naturally they are shutting that window as I write!
And finally, rare coins hold their value in both bull and bear gold markets. The reason: Scarcity! Today Uncle Sam mints all the bullion coins he can in order to meet demand, so the price is pretty much in line with the commodity price of gold. But they are not minting anymore 1907 St. Gaudens $20 gold pieces and what few do exist are so desired that they hold their value – kind of like the guy who wants a 1965 Mustang. He can buy a new or recently used Mustang for around $25,000 or less, and Detroit will have a million more just like it rolling onto the dealership lots. But, a 1965 model, now that’s something special! What few do exist are becoming harder and harder to find – and the prices are reflected in that scarcity, just check any Barrett-Jackson auction catalog. Yet, when all is said and done, it is still just a Mustang. Same holds true for rare coins. Intrinsic value is the commodity price of gold, which will fluctuate. The ACTUAL VALUE is the price of gold PLUS how many of that particular coin still exist. It never fails to amaze me how people can accept and understand the collection of stamps but would never dream of owning something as tangible as gold, which cannot be destroyed!
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And to Sum Up!
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That is a really poor choice for a title of this last in Bernanke's series of lectures.
Strange how history has a way of favoring the survivors. Nonetheless, much of the series has historic value. Some of it requires a suspension of common sense, other parts are bravely pastiched from the whole cloth of rhetoric, and every now and then, some facts do emerge. You will have to decide for yourself which is which
Bernanke grades his lecturees on a proprietary curve which he learned while playing quoites with Baron Rotschild and his other cronies in the Bildesberger. It goes something like this: Depending on the students lineage and family ties, they will get either a Pass, Fail or Welcome Aboard!
Listen as he indoctrinates the next class of world leaders in this final lecture at George Wahington University.
A Further Lecture from Uncle Ben.
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The following link will give you more on Chairman Bernanke's lecture series. Helicopter Ben 'splains the Fed to the next generation at George Washington University.
Pin the Tail on ... Bernanke!
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This is the first in a series of four lectures by Ben Bernanke.
Interesting to note that he begins by telling the students a prevarication (it wouldn't be kosher to call such an august man a liar - oh hell, if it walks like a duck, swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, chances are ... it's probably a bloody duck!).
Anyway, here for your elucidation ... and amusement ... are the erudite ramblings of "Helicopter" Ben!
Being all a-twitter with anticipation here, without further ado is: Bernanke, the Lecturer, Part One
Enjoy!
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When the US Dollar gets stronger, it takes fewer dollars to buy any commodity that is priced in $USD. When the US Dollar gets weaker it takes more dollars to purchase the same commodity.
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- 1 comment
For the very well heeled investor! A 14 minute film - but well worth the time for the education it offers.
Sure! Sure!
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- May 2, 2011
- Economy, Inflation, Politics
- No comments
We don’t need no stinkin’ gold! (Or silver either.) It’s just a barbarous relic of a by-gone era, right? Well, consider this – we’re spending nearly 12% of GDP in borrowed money that we don’t have. In just one month (May) in 2010 we borrowed and spent $333 billion – that is 28% of GDP!
The CBO (Congressional Budget Office) stated in a report: “In actuality, the economic effects of rapidly growing debt would probably be much more disorderly as investors’ confidence in the nation’s fiscal solvency began to erode. …..All in all, the U.S. economy could contract sharply for a long period.” (end quote). This is an 82 page document that is well worth your reading – unless you don’t give a damn! Hey! It’s your money Mr. and Mrs. John Q! If you don’t care, I can assure you your elected officials sure as hell don’t!
Is it any wonder then that Cramer, CNBC, the Wall Street Journal (including MarketWatch), Geithner, the Oracle of Omaha and all the government flacks are fighting so hard to maintain an illusion of control over the economy?
And the Problem Is...?
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- April 19, 2011
- Economy, Inflation, Miscellaneous
- No comments
The U.S. government has printed so much money that the monetary base has swelled from $800 billion to $1.7 trillion. That means the US government has created 2.1.dollars for every 1 dollar there was in America just one year ago.
Gold: The same policies that are sinking the dollar have pushed gold up more than 350% in the last eight years. The Washington Times sums it up this way: “Dollar slides, investors hedge, gold soars”
Gold Mania!
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- Economy, Inflation, Politics
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China buys gold while the US whistles past the graveyard.
The Snickers Analogy!
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- Economy, Inflation
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Political statements to the contrary; no one has a clue how this economic malaise will play out – although theories are as prevalent as marijuana at a San Francisco free clinic. The main cause of hyperinflation is a massive and rapid increase in the amount of money that is not supported by a corresponding growth in the output of goods and services. This results in an imbalance between the supply and demand for the money accompanied by a complete loss of confidence in the money, similar to a bank run.
Heads Should Roll!
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- Economy, Miscellaneous, Politics, Wall Street
- No comments
It's important here to mention the lineage of the Bank for International Settlements. It is the most obscure arm of the Bretton-Woods International Financial architecture but its role is central. John Maynard Keynes wanted it closed down as it was used to launder money for the Nazis in World War II. Run by an inner elite representing the world’s major central banks it controls most of the transferable money in the world. It uses that money to draw national governments into debt for the IMF.
Some Observations When Gold is $1,400!
- Article
- April 6, 2011
- Economy, Inflation, Rare Coins
- No comments
The Commodity Super Cycle will drive commodity prices higher for another eight years… including gold. Add to that the fact that since 2001, the US Dollar Index has tanked 30%… yet gold has risen 300%. Also, during major gold bull markets gold and the Dow converge at a 1-to-1 ratio. During the last gold bull run the Dow sank to 850 and gold rose to $850. All that, and six more bullish gold statistics...
A New Gold Standard?
- Article
- April 5, 2011
- Economy, Politics, Rare Coins
- 1 comment
Is a New Gold Standard Coming?
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Gold and the $5 Banana!
- Article
- April 1, 2011
- Economy, Politics, Rare Coins
- No comments
Why would anyone want to pay more than the face (or intrinsic) value for anything? That defies common sense – - – doesn’t it?
After all, you wouldn’t go to the grocer and spend $5.00 a pound for bananas when you can buy them all day long for 50 cents a pound. Of course you wouldn’t! And that, dear friend is the argument (in fact the only argument) for buying bullion gold and silver. Buy it cheap – sell it dear!
There’s a problem with that philosophy however, the problem, as it relates to coins, hangs on the question of why you are buying the stuff in the first place. – there is another way to own gold, a way that adds a layer of safety not available to either bullion or bullion coins. Rare coins.
Yeah, I know! The $5 a pound banana!
However, you get something for that extra expense. Something that you cannot get anywhere else: Security!
Security from your financial safety net being confiscated by Uncle Sugar so that he can pay his own bills.
There is another benefit to investment coins: They pass through an individual’s estate tax free! Since there is no social security number required in the purchase or sale (at least at present) there is no trace of who owns what. They are shutting that window as I write this!
And finally, rare coins hold their value in both bull and bear gold markets. The reason: Scarcity! They are not minting anymore 1907 St. Gaudens $20 gold pieces and what few do exist are so desired that they hold their value
Building Wealth
- Article
- March 31, 2011
- Economy, Inflation, Politics, Wall Street
- No comments
Gold and silver are the ultimate store of value and they are the only hedge during uncertain times.
Do you believe that gold and silver will rise in price and value or do you believe they are only barbarous relics of a bygone era, good for jewelry and some industrial uses, but nothing more?
If you believe that central bankers and the Treasury’s printing press is the answer to our financial dilemma then read no more!
Protection or Politics as Usual?
- Article
- March 30, 2011
- Miscellaneous, Politics
- No comments
Consumer protection or politics as usual? HR-6149 The Coin and Precious Metal Disclosure Act.
Some Gold Trivia!
- Article
- March 21, 2011
- Economy, Inflation, Rare Coins
- No comments
The entire gold market is worth less than Wal-Mart so it won't take much to make gold move (up and down).
China has doubled its gold holdings and encouraging its citizens to buy as well.
Money and Inflation
How is money and inflation related?

