From the people who brought you Stacks of Photocopied Rantings in a Manilla Envelope and I Believe Every Publication That Was Handed to Me on the Bus comes a brand-new outlet for lunacy: fake U.S. currency.
The Liberty Dollar is the brainchild of Bernard von NotHaus, who bills himself as the founder of the “Royal Hawaiian Mint,” which, best as I can tell, produced replica money from the Hawaiian Kingdom of the 1800s.
Von NotHaus says Liberty Dollars are made from real gold and silver, and thus are impervious to inflation:
As a matter of fact, when you think about it, you realize that gas, food, and almost everything else has NOT gotten more expensive. It only seems that way because the value of the green paper money is worth less and less and so it takes more and more of it to buy the same goods and services. Most people think prices have gone up, but in reality: it is the value of the US dollar that has actually gone down.
Man. He’s right! I always wondered why those Leprechauns kept getting richer.
To be fair, von NotHaus doesn’t actually say that Liberty Dollar money is real money. Oh wait. Yes he does:
A national network of thousands of Liberty Associates, Merchants and Regional Currency Offices already exists to assist you. There is probably someone near you already. Now you can protect your money and profit. You and your family need not be at risk of a currency crisis. With the Liberty Dollar you have guaranteed protection because it is 100% backed and 100% redeemable in gold and silver. It’s REAL money! Plus, it is exciting to use your “own money” and be in a position of power over your affairs.
On his Web site, von NotHaus even quotes “The Government” as calling Liberty Dollars “Legitimate,” and “Not Counterfeit.”
Let’s check in with the U.S. Mint:
The United States Mint urges consumers who are considering the purchase or use of these items to be aware that they are not genuine United States Mint bullion coins and they are not legal tender. These medallions are privately produced products and are not backed by, nor affiliated in any way with, the United States Government. Moreover, prosecutors with the Department of Justice have determined that the use of these gold and silver NORFED “Liberty Dollar” medallions as circulating money is a Federal crime.
Pax Arcana clicked a few buttons on the Liberty Dollar Web site and found something interesting. If you want to buy Liberty Dollars (such as the $1,000 Ron Paul “dollar” for $1,000 actual dollars), you’ll need your credit card.
Apparently there’s still a few kinks in the system.
Liberty Dollar [Web site]
