I was watching a morning TV show one day when this commercial comes (like that’s something new!)  

It wasn't so much that there was a commercial, as what was being said on the commercial that got my attention.  It was a car commercial and the announcer was asking the TV audience to bring in their broken or unused gold jewelry.  He said the gold would be appraised and could be used as a down payment on a car!  Was he talking bartering with gold!??  

This was the first time I had actually seen precious metals being used for anything other than collecting or wearing.  Now we’ve all heard of the “gold collectors” but this was different.  This was a business that usually is a cash/finance establishment.   So, I wondered, 'Is this the beginning of the bartering??  Do business owners know something we don’t know?  Are they subtly beginning to accept something other than “legal kinder” (eh … money)?   Is the dollar beginning to lose its value right under our noses and we aren’t even realizing it?  

I have to admit, I am not very good with all this finance forecast and economic stuff.  I just try to keep up as best I can.

This really got me thinking.  I’ve been reading a lot lately about the need to have a stash of pre-1964 silver coins and gold for bartering should there be an economic collapse, or in layman’s terms, should the dollar lose its buying power. 
 
When you hear a reference to silver coins, it is referring to silver coins that are pre-1965 U.S.; quarters, dimes, and half-dollars that were minted with 90% silver.  After 1965, they were made with a mixture of copper and nickel.

The only nickels with silver were made from 1942 to 1945 and they had about 35% silver, and are commonly know as "War Nickels". 

Half dollars (fifty-cent pieces) were made with 90% silver up until 1964, then 40% silver from 1965 to 1970, and after that, silver-plated copper from 1971 onward.

Most people are not even aware that pre-1965 U.S. quarters, half dollars and dimes are 90% silver and are considered precious metal.   Except the coin collectors who are not collecting coins purely for historic value – but now for the content value as well.

I say all this, so that you will be aware of what is going on around you.  You know all the coinage in the dark abyss at the bottom of your purse - that most of the time you consider a nuisance?  It can actually be your salvation in the future. 

Start dumping all your handbags out on your bed and combing through them for pre-1964 coins.  When you find one, or two, separate them and put it in a safe place.  Also, when you receive change back from a purchase, be aware of the coins you are get.   

You might also want to start flipping the couch pillows and look in the ashtray of your car for any 90% silver coins.  More and more people are becoming aware of the value of these coins and they are disappearing fast. 

Another thought is to use paper money in order to get coins in return.  Remember it’s the paper that will one day be useless – not the coins! 

Penny for your thought!

- Survivor Jane

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