Gold

Author	Message
Sarge Send message Joined: 25 Aug 99 Posts: 8870 Credit: 1,224,654 RAC: 1,865	Message 1280123 - Posted: 5 Sep 2012, 3:09:54 UTC - in response to Message 1279966.
	But I do not think you will find the answer to my main question at that site. (If I am wrong, please tell me, I'll go read.it.) WHY is gold assigned the worth it is assigned. beyond its intrinsic worthwhile properties? Id like to know that answer also. Is it bankers who put the value on it? In many so called primitive cultures they dont use any money. They barter what they raise or grow or create. I would also guess that even now those cultures are far and few between.[/quote] Thanks, James. But apparently more than just bankers place a high value on it.
	ID: 1280123 ·

betreger Send message Joined: 29 Jun 99 Posts: 1059 Credit: 1,997,603 RAC: 2,718	Message 1280125 - Posted: 5 Sep 2012, 3:15:02 UTC - in response to Message 1279966.
	But I do not think you will find the answer to my main question at that site. (If I am wrong, please tell me, I'll go read.it.) WHY is gold assigned the worth it is assigned. beyond its intrinsic worthwhile properties? Id like to know that answer also. Is it bankers who put the value on it? In many so called primitive cultures they dont use any money. They barter what they raise or grow or create. I would also guess that even now those cultures are far and few between.[/quote] It is called speculation. ____________
	ID: 1280125 ·

James Sotherden Volunteer moderator Send message Joined: 16 May 99 Posts: 6049 Credit: 14,625,577 RAC: 23,733	Message 1280241 - Posted: 5 Sep 2012, 12:49:06 UTC - in response to Message 1280125.
	But I do not think you will find the answer to my main question at that site. (If I am wrong, please tell me, I'll go read.it.) WHY is gold assigned the worth it is assigned. beyond its intrinsic worthwhile properties? Id like to know that answer also. Is it bankers who put the value on it? In many so called primitive cultures they dont use any money. They barter what they raise or grow or create. I would also guess that even now those cultures are far and few between. It is called speculation.[/quote] Yes I had forgotten that. People who Buy but never have to take posession on what ever they think will go up in price. ____________
	ID: 1280241 ·

Guy Send message Joined: 3 Apr 99 Posts: 1181 Credit: 3,468,666 RAC: 155	Message 1280268 - Posted: 5 Sep 2012, 14:21:22 UTC
	Sarge, yes, gold has value because people place value on it. It is pretty, has unique characteristics, it is pleasant to the eye, and it is limited in supply. Yes, it is a choice to tie its worth to other things. It also happens to be a very convenient thing to use to trade for other things. What other things? Labor. Everything we have is a product of labor (from what we pick up from the ground or from what we pick from a fruit bearing plant) (GIFTS FROM GOD). How do I buy something from you? Suppose you have something that took you (arbitrarily) 5 minutes of labour (English spelling) to produce when the only thing I have to trade for that took me (arbitrarily) 8 hours of labor (US Spelling) to produce? betreger, same question. What's better? To have some fiat currency whose value is arbitrarily controlled by some un-elected official in D.C. appointed by whoever the president de jour is? Or to have some form of currency controlled by the same rules of supply and demand as the economy it is used in? [skip some lines of reasoning because some of you are just going to ignore it anyway] What's better, individual freedom or centralized control in Washington D.C.? (BTW Ex, there's only two months left before we find out the results of this high school football game-like election and I hold you to our bet.)
	ID: 1280268 ·

Sarge Send message Joined: 25 Aug 99 Posts: 8870 Credit: 1,224,654 RAC: 1,865	Message 1280286 - Posted: 5 Sep 2012, 15:44:02 UTC - in response to Message 1280268.
	Sarge, yes, gold has value because people place value on it. It is pretty, has unique characteristics, it is pleasant to the eye, and it is limited in supply. Yes, it is a choice to tie its worth to other things. It also happens to be a very convenient thing to use to trade for other things. Since a great many people wish to trade a great many things, something in short supply does not seem to be a very convenient thing to use in the trading. How do I buy something from you? Suppose you have something that took you (arbitrarily) 5 minutes of labour (English spelling) to produce when the only thing I have to trade for that took me (arbitrarily) 8 hours of labor (US Spelling) to produce? Regardless of gold, people "should" be able to find a way to make these trades equitably.
	ID: 1280286 ·

Guy Send message Joined: 3 Apr 99 Posts: 1181 Credit: 3,468,666 RAC: 155	Message 1280325 - Posted: 5 Sep 2012, 17:03:37 UTC - in response to Message 1280286.
	Regardless of gold, people "should" be able to find a way to make these trades equitably. We have found a way. Form precious metal into thin little circles so it's easy to count and carry around in your pocket.
	ID: 1280325 ·

betreger Send message Joined: 29 Jun 99 Posts: 1059 Credit: 1,997,603 RAC: 2,718	Message 1280365 - Posted: 5 Sep 2012, 18:56:17 UTC - in response to Message 1280325.
	Regardless of gold, people "should" be able to find a way to make these trades equitably. We have found a way. Form precious metal into thin little circles so it's easy to count and carry around in your pocket. Guy, a problem with gold is as the economy grows the supply of gold is relatively fixed. That creates a situation of more goods and the same amount of money, hence the value of the goods will expressed in less money. That is deflation, not a good thing, probably as bad as inflation. ____________
	ID: 1280365 ·

Gary Charpentier Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 25 Dec 00 Posts: 10313 Credit: 5,067,439 RAC: 6,385	Message 1280378 - Posted: 5 Sep 2012, 19:17:53 UTC - in response to Message 1280325.
	Regardless of gold, people "should" be able to find a way to make these trades equitably. We have found a way. Form precious metal into thin little circles so it's easy to count and carry around in your pocket. Until everyone begins to "shave" the coins. ____________
	ID: 1280378 ·

Sarge Send message Joined: 25 Aug 99 Posts: 8870 Credit: 1,224,654 RAC: 1,865	Message 1280439 - Posted: 5 Sep 2012, 22:59:54 UTC - in response to Message 1280325.
	Regardless of gold, people "should" be able to find a way to make these trades equitably. We have found a way. Form precious metal into thin little circles so it's easy to count and carry around in your pocket. OK, so you're not one of the people worried whether the US' gold is all gone or not, like I've seen a few people here post, and is covered in a few conspiracy theory type TV shows.
	ID: 1280439 ·

Chris S Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 19 Nov 00 Posts: 22614 Credit: 4,497,695 RAC: 6,015	Message 1280513 - Posted: 6 Sep 2012, 7:28:27 UTC
	The problem with currency consisting of Gold coins like sovereigns, is that the gold sometimes is worth more than the face value of the coin. People then start taking them out of circulation and melting them down. The UK had that happen in 1986 when the price of copper rose and a pre 1982 2p coin was worth 3p, similarly in the USA when a penny was worth 3 cents. Today's coins are copper plated steel and remain as their original intention was of simply being exchangeable tokens, with a nominal value. It is also an offence in the UK to melt down Coins of the Realm. The Chinese were using metal coins in 1000 BC. The use of gold and silver as precious metals of value is mainly historical. in 3100 B.C. there is evidence of a gold/silver value ratio in the code of Menes, the founder of the first Egyptian dynasty. It is stated that "one part of gold is equal to two and one half parts of silver in value. The three wise men brought gifts of gold and silver. Gold was the first metal widely known to our species. When thinking about the historical progress of technology, we consider the development of iron and copper-working as the greatest contributions to our species' economic and cultural progress - but gold came first. Gold is the easiest of the metals to work. It occurs in a virtually pure and workable state, whereas most other metals tend to be found in ore-bodies that pose some difficulty in smelting.
	ID: 1280513 ·

skildude Send message Joined: 4 Oct 00 Posts: 8940 Credit: 36,380,130 RAC: 55,826	Message 1280711 - Posted: 6 Sep 2012, 20:05:32 UTC - in response to Message 1280513.
	US pennies are copper covered Zinc. IIRC they are 97% zinc. also IIRC the sinc in the coins is now becoming more valuable. what's the next cheapest metal? ____________ Proud member of TSWB. End terrorism by building a school
	ID: 1280711 ·

Chris S Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 19 Nov 00 Posts: 22614 Credit: 4,497,695 RAC: 6,015	Message 1280721 - Posted: 6 Sep 2012, 20:19:31 UTC
	Not entirely sure Skil, but congrats upon the 100 Mill combined :-)
	ID: 1280721 ·

Guy Send message Joined: 3 Apr 99 Posts: 1181 Credit: 3,468,666 RAC: 155	Message 1280975 - Posted: 7 Sep 2012, 12:11:41 UTC
	Why is Putin stockpiling gold?
	ID: 1280975 ·

skildude Send message Joined: 4 Oct 00 Posts: 8940 Credit: 36,380,130 RAC: 55,826	Message 1281056 - Posted: 7 Sep 2012, 16:06:10 UTC - in response to Message 1280721.
	Not entirely sure Skil, but congrats upon the 100 Mill combined :-) Thanks I knew I was getting close but hadn't realize I passed it. ____________ Proud member of TSWB. End terrorism by building a school
	ID: 1281056 ·

betreger Send message Joined: 29 Jun 99 Posts: 1059 Credit: 1,997,603 RAC: 2,718	Message 1281078 - Posted: 7 Sep 2012, 17:01:19 UTC - in response to Message 1280975.
	Why is Putin stockpiling gold? Guy, he's speculating you or someone will trade it for something of more value in the future. ____________
	ID: 1281078 ·

skildude Send message Joined: 4 Oct 00 Posts: 8940 Credit: 36,380,130 RAC: 55,826	Message 1281146 - Posted: 7 Sep 2012, 19:10:06 UTC - in response to Message 1281078.
	The old soviet union stockpiled gold and other valuable items. I assume to sell or barter with if needed. Note that the old soviet system failed in part because of a lack of income/revenue all the while still having massive material wealth Putin is a creature of the old system. nuf said ____________ Proud member of TSWB. End terrorism by building a school
	ID: 1281146 ·

BarryAZ Send message Joined: 1 Apr 01 Posts: 2480 Credit: 7,395,438 RAC: 13,434	Message 1281151 - Posted: 7 Sep 2012, 19:31:07 UTC - in response to Message 1280975.
	Another reason is that perhaps his view of political power and how to obtain it and retain it is close to a select group of people, including those in the West. Why is Putin stockpiling gold?
	ID: 1281151 ·

Sarge Send message Joined: 25 Aug 99 Posts: 8870 Credit: 1,224,654 RAC: 1,865	Message 1281218 - Posted: 7 Sep 2012, 23:57:51 UTC - in response to Message 1280975.
	Why is Putin stockpiling gold? Actually an interesting read.
	ID: 1281218 ·

WinterKnight Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 18 May 99 Posts: 6788 Credit: 17,030,338 RAC: 29,486	Message 1282232 - Posted: 10 Sep 2012, 14:49:27 UTC
	There may be too little gold to restore the gold standard
	ID: 1282232 ·

Guy Send message Joined: 3 Apr 99 Posts: 1181 Credit: 3,468,666 RAC: 155	Message 1282238 - Posted: 10 Sep 2012, 15:03:09 UTC - in response to Message 1282232.
	There may be too little gold to restore the gold standard You're right. We may have already gone over the cliff. How do you create a coin worth 0.00005771 ounces of gold (at today's price), and some fractions there of... like 1/4, 1/10, 1/20, and 1/100? There are ways, but people would have a hard time accepting it. My heart goes out to all my seti@home brothers and sisters, sincerely, Guy the Great!
	ID: 1282238 ·

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Message boards : Politics : Gold