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 Saturday, November 17, 2007
Liberty in Jeopardy as Dollars Siezed
Posted by tom
Liberty Dollar Headquarters Raided
After months, if not years, of breathing down Bernie von NotHaus' back, the federal government has finally taken the plunge and raided the NORFED - Liberty Dollar facilities in Evansville, Indiana. Agents seized approximately two tons of copper, silver and gold coins. They also took business records and computers and they froze the company’s bank accounts. Berbie said they left FBI and Secret Service cards according the a New York Sun article by Joseph Goldstein.
Now we wait. Will the government act? Or will they just tie up NORFED's business for months, if not years, while they build a case they most likely will never win? Bernie has been up front with his dealings. He let's people know exactly what NORFED is trying to do with their currency. NORFED was not hiding out in the heartland, they were open with their business and it got them raided.
Some of the coins confiscated had the likeness of politician Ron Paul on them. Paul's organization says they had nothing to do with NORFED. Ok, probably true, but since when is it a crime to depict a public figure on a piece of silver? This a coin struck to honor Ron Pauls political viewpoint. At most it is an endorsement, menaing that Liberty Dollar likes Ron Paul. And why would the U.S. government care? If Ron Paul had a problem with it he would contact Liberty Dollar - NORFED and let them know, or maybe sue them if he wanted it stopped. That's how we all settle personal legal matters in the United States..
Liberty Mint coins do not claim to be U.S. currency. They do not directly imitate U.S. coins in an attempt to defraud. Most of them are not even denominated like U.S. circulating coins. They do employ symbolic images of freedom...perhaps because they thought this was a free country.
Now we will all see just how free our country has become. We'll see if Bernie gets a speedy trial, or if the Federal Government drags their feet while holding on to all the NORFED company assets. We'll see if they intend on filing charges, or just intimidating Liberty Dollar and NORFED out of existence.
News You Can Use
11/17/2007 5:49:15 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00) 
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Friday, November 16, 2007
And the Winner Is...
Posted by tom
Winner of November 1701-1800 Catalog Contest
There were several correct entries to our identify the three coins on the cover contest, so I had Debbie Bradley pull a name from my hat at the aforementioned closing time and the winner is...Erik J. van Loon!
Erik wins a copy of the new 4th edition Standard Catalog of World Coins 1701-1800 book pictured below. Erik can also claim a free subscription to the E-Sylum, the electronic newsletter of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society, just by asking me to forward his email address to Wyane Homren, the E-Sylum editor.
For those of you who were not so lucky as Erik, remember that you can still claim a $5 discount and free shipping in the U.S. at the Krause Books website or our 1-800-726-9966 number when you order your own copy of the 4th edition SCWC 1701-1800 by November 30th. Just ask for the Big Ideas, little world Special Discount Offer or use the discount code UWB7 when online.
KP Update
11/16/2007 6:28:27 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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The Chocolate War
Posted by tom
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
The Chocolate War
A fascinating, almost surreal film about a freshmen’s experience at a Catholic Boys School, The Chocolate War has more depth than many coming of age stories. Based on a controversial novel of the same name by Robert Cormier, the script offers a birds eye view of the exaggerated pier pressures brought to bear on one young man as he works through a tragic loss in his life.
The supporting characters of unrestrained authority are exquisitely brought to life by John Glover and Wallace Langham, while the conversion from novel to script by writer-director Keith Gordon adds a twisted sense of push and pull to the motives and interactions of all involved, even with it's altered ending.
Grab a box of chocolates, get comfortable and enjoy Ian Mitchell-Smith's portrayal of Jerry Renault's lone stand against all that is bad in the world.
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
11/16/2007 5:01:33 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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Friday Fix
Posted by tom
Friday Fix
London pm fixes for 11-16-07
Gold $789.75
Silver $14.45
Platinum $1450.00
Palladium $366.00
Friday Fix
11/16/2007 11:50:22 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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Final Day of the Free Book Contest
Posted by tom
Enter Now to Win a Free Book!
Our November contest closes today at 12 noon CST or 6pm Greenwich Mean Time. Get your entries in to me at tom.michael@fwpubs.com before the dealine and if you are correct, you will have a chance at winning a free copy of the new 4th edition Standard Catalog of World Coins 1701-1800.
All you have to do is identify the three coins on the cover pictured above and email me your answers. You can use NumisMaster to identify these coins, by registering and using the advanced search. If your answwers are correct, your name will go into the drawing for a free copy of the book!
The winner will also receive a free subscription to the E-Sylum courtesy Wayne Homren of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society.
If you don't win, or are just interested in purchasing the catalog, Big Ideas, little world is also offering a special November discount of $5 off cover price and free shipping within the continental U.S., or a free gift for those ordering from outside the U.S., through November 30th. To exercise this option just go to the Krause Books website or call 1-800-726-9966 and use coupon code NWT8 or ask for the Big Ideas, little world discount special.
KP Update
11/16/2007 9:40:33 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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Thursday, November 15, 2007
Elvis is Alive & So Is Coin Collecting
Posted by tom
Elvis Lives - On Coins!
Relocationof the Elvis is Alive Museum has begun. At 81, the founding father, Bill Beeny, decided it was time to pass on the museum to the highest bidder. Andy Key won the eBay listed lot at $8,300 and will be working soon to move a massive  amount of memorabilia from it's former home in an old coin operated laundry building in Wright City, Missouri down to it's new home near Tupelo, Mississippi, where Elvis was born.
 Though I'm sure there are plenty of hopeful fans expecting Elvis to show up at the grand opening, I'm not holding my breath. On the other hand, coin collectors know that Elvis does live on in fond memories and commemorative coins and medals around the world.
Collecting Elvis coins and medals could be a long-term pursuit. Some of my favorites include those from Saint Thomas and Prince, as well as the Gibraltar Centenary of the Cinema Crown from 1996 and the Marshall Islands coins from 1993.  Medals dedicated to Elvis are more extensive, struck in many medals and featuring the many styles Elvis sported throughout his long and varied career. Coins with color Elvis portraits are often unofficial items made outside the U.S and other world mints, like the flashy Tennessee quarter set currently available on eBay.
Check out NumisMaster for various Elvis coins by registering and using the advanced search to seek out the King by Country. For medals, silver rounds, coins and even novelty banknotes you can search eBay's exonumia and world coins sections by keyword Elvis.
News You Can Use
11/15/2007 11:47:37 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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The Ups & Downs Continue for Precious Metals
Posted by tom
Another Dip below $800 for Gold
Sell-off's this morning again brought gold down below $800. At the time of this posting spot gold was at $793. Platinum also saw some adjustment dropping to about $1423 at the time of this posting, with palladium still hovering just a bit below $370. Silver slipped back below it's surge to $15 from yesterday and rests near $14.65 at present.
Palladiums weakness is due to a very legitimate collision of less demand and a reasonable expectation of production. Platinum, on the other hand seems to be reacting to tighter shortfall figures than speculators had anticipated for the fourth quarter. Gold futures are down on a firming US dollar and softening price for crude oil. These are the types of short-term reactions I had mentioned in other postings. Most analysts expect these sorts of ups and downs to continue through the month of November and probably through the end of this calendar year.
Two different camps seem to be emerging regard the long-term viability of a bullish gold market. Some are expecting gold to shift down to the $720 level after February when demand for gold in India slacks off as the festival season comes to a close. Others are looking longer term and anticipate that gold supply will get even tighter in the next few years, as mining becomes a more costly and difficult proposition. These folks are looking at both the rise in demand over the last few years and reports from major gold production firms which indicate a faster fall in gold supply is coming.
With these possibilities in mind, major industry is looking for ways to keep the precious metals needed for manufacturing flowing. Japan, for instance, is looking to team up with Botswana and South Africa to use satellite technologies to reach better, more productive veins. When there is purposeful demand, not just speculation, there will always be those willing to find a way.
News You Can Use
11/15/2007 11:30:29 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Added Feature to This Weeks Contest
Posted by tom
Special Bonus for the Winner!
As an extra special bonus for the winner of this weeks 18th Century Catalog Contest, Wayne Homren, editor of the E-Sylum, the official email newsletter of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society, has offered a free email subscription.
Once we have chosen the winner on Friday the 16th, all they have to do is submit their email address and Wayne will hook them up with a free subscription to the E-Sylum. Wayne packs the E-Sylum with loads of great information on new books and upcoming events within the world of Numismatic reference. It's always fun to read and very informative. Definitely the highlight of many a numismatists Sunday evening.
So get busy and identify those three coins on the cover of the new 4th edition Standard Catalog of World Coins 1701-1800. Send your identifications to me via email at tom.michael@fwpubs.com and get in on the chance to win a free copy of this new KP edition, plus a free subscription to the E-Sylum.
KP Update
11/14/2007 5:22:16 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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A Bounce Back Morning for Precious Metals
Posted by tom
Precious Metals Rebound, After Rough Day
After a slow day, with gold below the $800 mark for much of the trading, the precious metal has rebounded this morning pushing spot up to $814 at the time of this posting. Platinum bounced back big time, gaining over $25 to touch $1440 an ounce.
Silver too has seen a bit of a rebirth with spot rising above $15 and ounce. Palladium seems to be in a rut, probably due to expectations of surpluses for this industrial metal for 2007 and 2008.
Overall, I think investors will see several hills and valleys for Gold, Silver and Platinum over the next few months until the end of 2007. As the dollar slumps, or crude oil prices soften, gold and silver will surge. On days when the Dollar rallies against the Euro, expect to see some sell-off of gold. With Central Bank gold sales generally on the decline, it would seem clear that gold will hold at, or near these higher levels so long as demand remains as strong as it has been during the last few weeks.
One additional factor, which is growing in prominence, is the rising cost of health insurance and health care costs both to consumers and businesses. These pressures, unchecked by any government regulation or intervention at this time, are presenting themselves as a growing factor in the buying power of the US dollar and subsequent movement into the foothills of inflation. When inflation concerns are on the rise, demand for gold will follow suit. When inflation concerns lessen, crude oil and gold tend to have lower demand and softer prices.
News You Can Use
11/14/2007 10:22:30 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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Monday, November 12, 2007
Falling Gold from Fleeing Speculators
Posted by tom
Gold in Free-Fall
The U.S. dollar rallied this morning throwing gold into a free-fall, dropping spot below the $800 mark shortly before rebounding a bit to the $804. Silver, platinum and Palladium are all being effected; with Platinum hit the worst, falling below the $1400 ledge.
Other aggravating factors in today’s precious metals plunge include a stronger Yen and slipping crude oil. Investors seem to be fleeing any commodity with a perceived high-risk level and futures for precious metals have been hit severely. Consider this a wake-up call for more caution in this bandwagon atmosphere.
News You Can Use
11/12/2007 11:54:01 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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Contest & Special Offer for New 1701-1800 Catalog
Posted by tom
Win a New 4th Edition Standard Catalog of World Coins 1701-1800
The Krause Books team and the NumisMaster team are joining forces to allow me to offer my readers a special contest. Here's the deal; take a look at the cover of our new 4th Edition SCWC 1701-1800 shown above, identify the three coins illustrated on this cover and email me your answer at tom.michael@fwpubs.com, along with your name and mailing address. Everyone who identifies these three coins correctly will have their name and address placed in a hat and on Friday November 16th at 6pm Greenwich Mean Time (12pm Central Standard Time) I will draw out one lucky winner, who will receive a free copy of the new 4th Edition SCWC 1701-1800.
To identify the three coins, I would suggest using NumisMaster, our online coin cataloging database. By registering at NumisMaster you can view all available coin data up to, but not including retail values. After signing in, just click on Price Guides and use the advanced search, or choose view/search my guides and use the advanced search. You'll find all the coin identification data you need, but retail values can only be accessed by subscribers to NumisMaster. Subscription options will appear at the bottom of the screen on individual coin listings for those who would like to take the next step to become subscribers.
For those who do not win the book, or cannot spare the time to identify the coins, our Krause Books team has extended the following Big Ideas, little world November Special offer: $5 off the cover price, plus free shipping within the continental United States. Our world-wide readers will have to pay their shipping costs, but can also take advantage of the $5 discount, plus they will recieve a free gift. That's a whole lot of brand new 18th Century coin book for only $70.00. To take advantage of this special purchase offer, just click on Big Ideas, little world to visit the online Krause bookstore or call Krause at 800-726-9966 and mention that you want the Big Ideas, little world November Special (coupon code NWT8), but act fast because when November is over, so is this special offer!
KP Update
11/12/2007 11:13:09 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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Friday, November 09, 2007
Breach
Posted by tom
Tom's Recommended Film of the Week
11/9/2007 11:30:54 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
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