The Snickers Analogy!
Awhile back I shared that gold could possibly break below $1,250 an ounce. I also stated that it just doesn’t matter. Say what?
The reason is simply that the daily gyrations in the price of gold & silver don’t mean a damn thing – unless, that is, you are a speculator looking to profit from temporary moves in the commodities market. And, if you are, then you are gambling – with all the evidence in your favor – that the “dollar” isn’t worth anything. Come to think of it, all you need do is look at the buying power of today’s dollar to that same dollar’s buying power in 1960.
Let me give you an example: Before becoming diabetic I was a big fan of Snickers bars (I’m still a big fan, I just can’t enjoy it anymore – at least not without guilt). My point is that in 1960 I could buy my favorite sugar high for only a dime. Today they cost over a $1.00 + tax (even more at the movies).
Now here’s my point: In 1960 an ounce of gold was $35.00 an ounce and would have purchased 350 Snickers. Today at over $1,400 an ounce, it will buy only 110 candy bars. THAT my friend is inflation! It also indicates just how cheap gold is in terms of today’s marketplace. For those who believe (remember, there is always a “lie” in everything you believe) that inflation has been contained and under control by the capable hands of our Washington bureaucrats, I have a bale of Weimar Republic money I’ll sell you for only $1,400 dollars (or just one $20 gold piece). For the rest of us, the fair value of an ounce of gold (given the Snicker analogy) is $3,500.00 an ounce!
According to Wikipedia: “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 (including currency and bank deposits), accompanied by a complete loss of confidence in the money, similar to a bank run. Enactment of legal tender laws and price controls to prevent discounting the value of paper money relative to gold, silver, hard currency, or commodities, fails to force acceptance of a paper money which lacks intrinsic value. If the entity responsible for printing a currency promotes excessive money printing, with other factors contributing a reinforcing effect, hyperinflation usually continues. Often the body responsible for printing the currency cannot physically print paper currency faster than the rate at which it is devaluing, thus neutralizing their attempts to stimulate the economy.[7]…” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_102-00104,_Inflation,_Tapezieren_mit_Geldscheinen.jpg
The point I’m making – some would say I’m beating to death – is that gold and silver have been known stores of value for over 4,000 plus years. Gold and silver have lasted as money longer than the Micenean, Egyptian, Greek, Persian, Roman, Spanish and English empires combined, even though each of them tried diligently to replace the precious metals with another form of specie. Now, of course, any financial salesperson will remind you that: “Past performance does not guarantee future results”, however that is how the smart money will bet.
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. This could all blow away and just be a bad memory in 12-18 months (unlikely); it could turn into deflation (an argument can be made for that); or become runaway inflation (most likely). How do you bet the outcome will be? What would you feel safer holding?
All Articles
Silver Dollars On Sale!
- Article
- April 5, 2012
- Coins, Gold & Silver, Rare Coins
- 2 comments
And to Sum Up!
- Article
- April 2, 2012
- Debt, Economy, Politics, Wall Street
- No comments
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.
- Article
- March 29, 2012
- Debt, Economy, Inflation, Politics, Wall Street
- No comments
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!
- Article
- March 22, 2012
- Debt, Economy, Gold & Silver, Inflation, Politics
- No comments
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!
"Hat Pin" Charlie and the Gold Bubble
- Article
- September 26, 2011
- Gold & Silver, Inflation, Miscellaneous
- No comments
Gold v Dollar - a Relationship
- Article
- July 16, 2011
- Gold & Silver, Inflation
- No comments
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.
Regulated Gold
- Article
- May 25, 2011
- Rare Coins
- 1 comment
For the very well heeled investor! A 14 minute film - but well worth the time for the education it offers.
Sure! Sure!
- Article
- 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...?
- Article
- 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!
- Article
- April 16, 2011
- Economy, Inflation, Politics
- No comments
China buys gold while the US whistles past the graveyard.
The Snickers Analogy!
- Article
- April 11, 2011
- Economy, Inflation
- No comments
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!
- Article
- April 8, 2011
- 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?
World Bank president Robert Zoellick advocates a new global monetary system that might include gold. He states: "Although textbooks may view gold as the old money, markets are using gold as an alternative monetary asset today.”
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?

