Letter Re: Trading Numismatic $5, $10, and $20 Gold Pieces for Bullion Coins?

James: I have a question for you. Should a person keep old $20 gold coins, or convert them into 1 oz. gold American Eagles? This would assume coins with no great [numismatic] value, just old coins. Also, what about $5 and $10 gold pieces? Thanking You in Advance ,- Jim A. in Montana JWR Replies: As I’ve mentioned before, the often-mentioned threat of another gold confiscation is overblown, so essentially, “gold bullion is gold bullion.” For buyers here in the US, I recommend American Eagles from the US Mint, because they are widely recognized and accepted. There are also some …



Economics and Investing:

Greg C. sent this bit of mainstream media spin doctoring: AP source: White House projects lower deficit. Greg’s comment: “Another case of “The deficit is growing slower than we originally thought.” They fail to point out its still growing exponentially. They “saved”$250 billion while we will be at $2 trillion in the hole by year’s end. I love their math and outlook on life!” Thanks to Damon for this: Marc Faber “in China there is an investment bubble …the total collapse is ahead of us and probably a world scale war…” Reader Jim P. flagged this: Obama to raise 10-year …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Sometimes the bias of mainstream media is blatantly obvious. Compare this video clip, with this news report from CNBC. Notice how, with some clever editing, they did not inform their viewers that the man carrying the “assault rifle” in this news story about the “racist overtones” of the anti-Health Care plan protestors was in fact a black man.    o o o News from Australia: No-Warrant Terrorism Raids Proposed    o o o Reader Ken M. mentioned: “Ready Made Resources has a free solar power products catalog in PDF format that is great for anyone interested in solar power. The …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto …


Notes from JWR:

Do you have any favorite quotations that relate to preparedness, survival, or individual liberty? Please send them via e-mail, and if they haven’t been run in the blog before, I will likely post them as Quotes of the Day. Thanks! Today we present another entry for Round 24 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. First Prize: A.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost between $500 and $600, and B.) Two cases of Mountain …


Surviving an Expedient Ambush Roadblock While Traveling by Vehicle, by M.W.

In the days following a societal collapse, there will be some people who will be on the move from where the problems exist to where they hope safety lies. There can be many reasons why people are on the move, and an equal number of reasons why someone else may wish to stop your progress. Getting on the move and out of a hostile area as early as possible in the wake of a collapse is a significant key to one’s survival, as well has having buddies to cover you during your travel. The sooner you get on the road, …


Letter Re: Cattle Rustling on the Rise

James, First off, we continue to pray for your family. Whatever the Lord’s plan is, he will show you grace and mercy. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Secondly, one of my cattle buyers, corroborated by one of my truckers, has informed me of some signs-of-the-times, unconfirmed via regular news outlets so far, cattle rustling in Pennsylvania is on the rise, including something not usually seen, carcass remnants. Several barns/pastures have cattle missing, one load of which was recovered at a sale barn, and at least a half dozen reports from different farmers finding carcasses, with primals cut out, …


Economics and Investing:

Peter Schiff: Hyperinflation Risk High, Stocks Will Crater (Thanks to “Straycat” for the link.) A interesting piece over at iTulip: Does USA 2009 = Argentina 2001? Part I: Falling economy reaches terminal velocity – Eric Janszen Karen H. notes: Nickel May Gain as Stockpiles Fail to Deter Funds: Chart of Day “Nickel, which surged 17 percent the past month, may advance further as “price momentum” and inflation expectations lure fund managers even as stockpiles of the metal approach a 14-year high, according to Commerzbank AG.” Have you been stocpiling nickels? FG mentioned this survey: L.A. ranks near bottom among big …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Greg C. sent this news article from Florida: Rush is on for concealed-guns permits    o o o From KAF: A rush for black gold in the Gulf. KAF notes: “Every country except the USA will be drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.    o o o North Korea Threatens Nuclear Strike    o o o US City of Paterson, New Jersey, Planning Curfew to Combat Rising Crime



Note from JWR:

Today we present another entry for Round 24 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. First Prize: A.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost between $500 and $600, and B.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees, in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $392 value.) and C.) A HAZARiD Decontamination Kit from Safecastle.com. (A $345 value.) Second Prize: A “grab bag” of preparedness gear and books from Jim’s Amazing …


Camouflage: The Art of the “Liar”, by T.W.P.

Human Perception – from an artist’s point of view. Have you ever sat down and watched a movie? Sure you have. But did you ever stop to realize that everything you were watching was a lie? Most likely not, even though you do understand that intellectually. Most movies cash in on the concept of “suspension of disbelief” which means “you know that what you are watching is not real or true, but you are willing to pretend, accept that it is real or true, for sake of entertainment.” It is an implied contract between you, and the makers of that …


Letter Re: Preparedness for Living on a Chesapeake Bay Island

Mr. Rawles, I am just now (pretty late in the game, I know) becoming aware of the impending collapse and have begun reading your blog regularly (it is the first thing I read in the mornings now). I realize now that I must prepare as much as I can and have a question about my current location. I live on an isolated (no bridges, ferry and airplane transport only) Island in the Chesapeake Bay. It is somewhat densely populated for its size, but everyone knows each other and most residents hunt and fish and have their own boats. Many residents …


Economics and Investing:

From perennial content contributor GG: Germany braces for second wave of credit crunch Neal flagged this: The Week in Charts, Buckle the Heck Up! Greg C. sent us this: Woman’s House Mistakenly Auctioned by Bank Karen H. kindly sent several items: U.K. Has Record July Deficit as Recession Curbs Taxes U.S. Initial Jobless Claims Rose by 15,000 to 576,000 FDIC May Add to Special Fees as Mounting Failures Drain Reserves Swiss to reveal UBS accounts to settle U.S. tax battle “Switzerland has agreed to reveal the names of about 4,450 wealthy American clients of UBS AG to U.S. authorities in …