We are often asked by some of our readers how they can determine the authenticity of the silver they come across in their precious metal endeavors. While there are many methods of making this determination, for this post we list what we think are the three quickest and easiest. 1) The Ring Test Silver has a nice ringing sound when it is tapped. If it is a coin, you can flick it into the air. Alternatively, you can gently tap it with another coin. In both instances, you should hear a … [Read more...]

Recently there has been a lot of excitement and discussion about the real value of a penny.  In one article from December of 2011, ABC News(1) talks about the waves of people going out of their way to sort and hoard pennies.  The story mentions one individual who spent upwards of $500.00 on a coin-sorting machine to assist with the process.  Another person made an entire business of sorting and selling them at nearly 50% profit.  This obsession over the smallest unit of our currency got us … [Read more...]

by Jim Wahl The annual Oktoberfest in Mt. Angel, Oregon is a tradition that dates back nearly five decades. Each year several hundred thousand visitors flock to this small town – an influx 100-times that of Mt. Angel’s population of 3,700. Many come for the authentic German atmosphere and culture and the array of culinary treats, not to mention the traditional German beer. But while the entertainment venues will be filled with people, no cash will be changing hands. That’s because … [Read more...]

September is the month we change seasons from summer to fall. It is a time when many people (this writer included) reflect on change in general. It is an understatement to say that we are in living in an environment of change that few alive today have witnessed. The combination of trends in play today hasn’t been experienced in this nation, let alone on a global scale, in at least two generations. Reflection can take a person into some very interesting philosophical waters. Take the … [Read more...]

Implementation would reduce the size of government by Doug Tjaden Liberty is a subject discussed today by many who feel that government entities, (Federal in particular) have overstepped their constitutional jurisdiction. Rightly so. They have. Misguided politicians today use law to dictate their vision of what they feel will provide Americans with “equal opportunity.” Our republican form of government and Constitution place limits on our elected officials, giving them no such mandate. … [Read more...]

by Representative Dr. Ron Paul The end of June marked what is hopefully the end of the Federal Reserve's policy of quantitative easing. For months the Fed has purchased hundreds of billions of dollars of Treasury debt, enabling the government to fund its profligate deficit spending, push the national debt to its limit, and further devalue the dollar. Confidence in the dollar is plummeting, confidence in the euro has been shattered by the European bond crisis, and beleaguered consumers and … [Read more...]

Some Unconventional Thoughts on Balance Of Trade By Pat Fields A nonchalant comment I’d posted to a thread on Facebook reflecting on a Zero Hedge article relating to bullion bank Scotia Mocatta’s curious accounting for their silver holdings sparked a small brush fire of e-mails among the folks here at AOCS. Particularly, it was my characterization of silver as having the analogical position of a fulcrum, providing a natural balance to the rational valuations of gold and copper and the … [Read more...]

Get ready. It’s coming. Now it gets interesting. For several months I have been writing on the issue of honest money and its return to America, via the states. Judging from the response (or lack thereof), the issue is still very much off of the radar of the average American, including many hard asset advocates. Honest money is, however, quietly – and quickly – making its way into the main stream discussion. Having attended the ceremonial signing of HB317 on June 2nd, I can assure you … [Read more...]

A title like that requires a LOT of explanation and background. First, let me say that it does not please me to write (or publish) this article.  I'm not an "I told you so" kinda guy, and I do not derive pleasure from seeing others struggle, fail, run into bad luck, or fall short of happiness in any capacity.  In fact, I am concerned that my opinion may make the appeal for Bernard von Nothaus that much more difficult (not to mention a future trial).  But as I monitor the wires and read the … [Read more...]