By Patrick A. Heller
Commentary on Precious Metals Prepared for CoinWeek.com
What do you do with my commentaries? I have been writing them since 1995, gaining a wider audience as time goes on.
Do you merely read them for entertainment? If that’s enough for you, I accept that.
Or possibly do you read them to get a more rounded perspective of what is happening to the world’s financial and monetary systems? Well, that’s OK with me too.
Or—do you actually really grasp what I am saying and follow that up with actions you take for your own benefit? Then I thank you for being a good reader. Whether or not you have done business with my company, you have taken the responsibility to prepare for the evolving financial crises, taking steps that only a small percentage of the population has done.
My company has thousands of customers who are very happy that they took my advice and acted on it. Several customers are in seven-figure profit positions. I am grateful for those who have trusted me to assist you in establishing your insurance holdings of gold and silver.
But, did you know that the vast majority of people who read my articles or listen to my radio programs never have and never will take actions to help themselves? Some may see or hear what I present, briefly think “that’s interesting,” and that will be the end of it.
There are also a large number of people who are so frightened by the information I share that they just don’t want to face the possibility that I could be right. These are the kind of people who are apt to whine, “why didn’t somebody warn me?” that the value of the US dollar has fallen more than 80% to gold in the past twelve years?
Well, I did tell you, and I’m telling you again—right now.
In my judgment, the US dollar is doomed.
The big question is not if—but when.
From what I see, the collapse of the US dollar might happen within a few months. Or it could take one to three years.
More than 99% of all members of the US Congress are resigned to, if not actively pushing for, the destruction of the dollar. In my lifetime, there hasn’t been a US president, Republican or Democrat, who has stood for the principle of a stable US dollar. As for the Federal Reserve, you’ve got to be joking! So, don’t look for any last minute reprieves from Washington.
Do you realize what I just wrote? No matter what you might do personally, it won’t matter. The US dollar is on the way out.
You can’t change that result. But what you can do is change how you will prepare for the end of the dollar.
Yes, I am a coin and precious metals dealer. I would be thrilled to have more customers. But it is more important to me, whether or not you call on my company for service, that I live in a world where you, your relatives, neighbors, and co-workers each take action to protect your respective financial well-being.
There are over 5,000 coin dealers in the US. Most of them can help you acquire your insurance position of physical gold and silver. Talk to, personally visit, or bring up the website of one, two, or more of them. Then patronize the ones who suit you best.
You may not believe it, but I don’t write because I hope to get rich drumming up business. It is far more important to me that I try to help salvage part of what was great about America, before the politicians completely destroy our financial well-being and our civil rights.
Again, I ask you to be honest when you answer this question. Why do you read my commentaries?
Patrick A. Heller owns Liberty Coin Service and Premier Coins & Collectibles in Lansing, Michigan and writes Liberty’s Outlook, a monthly newsletter on rare coins and precious metals subjects. Past newsletter issues can be viewed at http://www.libertycoinservice.com. Other commentaries are available at Numismaster (http://www.numismaster.com under “News & Articles). His award-winning radio show “Things You ‘Know’ That Just Aren’t So, And Important News You Need To Know” can be heard at 8:45 AM Wednesday and Friday mornings on 1320-AM WILS in Lansing (which streams live and becomes part of the audio and text archives posted at http://www.1320wils.com.
Patrick, I have only been following your writings for the last few months, but you were definitely a catalyst that got me off the fence and into the precious metals markets.
Sure, some of your writing can be doom and gloom, but anyone who studies the financial collapse that befell Central Europe after WWI should recognize the signs. The true collapse of fiat currency is coming soon.
On a lighter note, acquiring gold and silver coins has re-awakened a passion for coin collecting that I had lost many years ago.
Thank you, and keep calling it as you see it.
Patrick,
I read your columns for the interesting information you provide. Then I take that information and verify it for myself, using what I learn to make plans for the future. I USED to make long range plans for everyday things like cars, home improvements, retirement, etc. Now I plan no farther out than 60-90 days, figuring maybe things will hold together for that long. That’s MY judgement of the outcome of current world economic conditions.
In full disclosure, I HAVE dealt with your company in the past, but having cultivated a relationship with a local antique dealer who’s continually comes across coins from estates, I’ve found a ready supply at below spot prices for vintage 90% silver (and even some gold).
I long for the days when one could put your money in the bank and watch it at least keep pace with inflation. But at that whopping .5% annual interest, it’s hard to go wrong putting a portion of that money into hard currency and non-perishable food items. Even buying cereal and crackers today pays a greater return than leaving the money in the bank! Just as a anecdotal bit of evidence of rising costs, I went to buy some green grapes Friday. None to be found. I asked the produce manager who told me that his wholesale price was $6.49/lb and he didn’t order any because he didn’t think anybody would buy them for $6.89/lb. He’s probably right!
Anyways, I find lots of interesting information in your articles, most of which I verify with other sources reporting the same things. Somethings I can’t find ANYTHING at all, but not once have I found the facts you present to be in error. For example, you were discussing the regularity of price drops at set times. Having watched the charts for the last few weeks, the volume spikes coinciding with price drops at 3AM and 10AM (Eastern) are there like clockwork anytime the price of gold starts to rise. Coincidence? Probably NOT.
What others do with the information you provide, I don’t know, but at least one of us is learning and using it to our advantage.
Thanks again for your efforts, Patrick!
Patrick,
I share your belief that sometime soon, the US dollar could be heading for very dangerous territory. You are one of several writers (with most of the rest being the guys on ZeroHedge) who I read that cover these topics, and I have followed your columns on and off since you wrote for Coin Update. I do not always agree with your take on things but I always find it worth reading nonetheless.
I do not know if you have already done this, but one thing I would like to see from you in the future is a column on what gold and silver coins you think people should be investing in. As you are a coin dealer, you are probably well-positioned to advise people on what they should be investing in (be it numismatic or bullion).
Patrick,
I must admit that I am trained lavishly in economics – KEYNESIAN economics, having been trained in economics at Franklin & Marshall College alongside (same classes, same years) as current SEC Chairwoman Mary Schapiro, by perhaps THE country’s most influential Keynesian professor in the 1970’s – the Harvard trained Will Lyons. I have seen nothing in my 56 years to convince me that Keynesian economis is wrong. I read you to get an insight into the “Dark Side” of far right neo-economics. Know your adversary, I say.
Keynesianism ALWAYS works to grow economies where stuff is made – the U.S. during and after WW2, and China lately.
My other professors at F&M included a future Pennsylvania Secretary of Banking, Bill Whitesell, and a future Prime Minister of Turkey, Tansu Ciller (pronounced “Tshiller”).
I do not have ANY background in selling, marketing, or self-promotion. You are the master at that. I do economic analysis for a living – the kind that never ends up on a website selling anything. Oh…. I am also a lifelong numismatist, of coins of ALL comopositions.
V.Kurt,
Your credentials certainly sound impressive. Have you considered writing articles in any of the coin related websites? I for one would appreciate reading about the coin/bullion/numismatic markets from a Keynesian perspective. Especially opinions that are significantly contrary to Patrick’s opinions could be very beneficial.
I have done 7 or so Viewpoint articles in “another publication” which would be rude to promote here. I also give talks live at ANA conventions where I include my anti-Hellerian view. The owners of this site have invited me to consider a regular contribution here. I am thinking on it, and trying to see if I can do it without compromising the part I do for a living – advising elected officials in my state capitol. Since they pay me a salary, my first priority must be them. I hope you understand. I’m working on it.
You CAN ask the ANA for Numismatic Theatre presentation number ANA11-052, given by me at ANA Chicago last August. I’ll be doing another, I expect, at Philly this year, where I am the Volunteer Chair of the host club’s committee – the Red Rose Coin Club of Lancaster, PA.