Posted on 08/30/2011 12:33:14 PM PDT by CincyRichieRich
How did a Philadelphia family get hold of $40 million in gold coins, and why has the Secret Service been chasing them for 70 years?
U.S. Mint/AP Photo This coin is worth $7.6 million
The most valuable coin in the world sits in the lobby of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in lower Manhattan. It's Exhibit 18E, secured in a bulletproof glass case with an alarm system and an armed guard nearby. The 1933 Double Eagle, considered one of the rarest and most beautiful coins in America, has a face value of $20—and a market value of $7.6 million. It was among the last batch of gold coins ever minted by the U.S. government. The coins were never issued; most of the nearly 500,000 cast were melted down to bullion in 1937.
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Most, but not all. Some of the coins slipped out of the Philadelphia Mint before then. No one knows for sure exactly how they got out or even how many got out. The U.S. Secret Service, responsible for protecting the nation's currency, has been pursuing them for nearly 70 years, through 13 Administrations and 12 different directors. The investigation has spanned three continents and involved some of the most famous coin collectors in the world, a confidential informant, a playboy king, and a sting operation at the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan. It has inspired two novels, two nonfiction books, and a television documentary. And much of it has centered around a coin dealer, dead since 1990, whose shop is still open in South Philadelphia, run by his 82-year-old daughter.
(Excerpt) Read more at finance.yahoo.com ...
—Should have melted them down.—
Or use a hammer to pound out the markings. Lots easier.
Amazing how often that happens....My ex-wife left all my guns in the dingy we were towing to Catalina Island. Musta bounced out somewhere in the middle of the channel.
I know you are correct in what you're saying, but it still really chaps my hide....grrrrrr.
I would have a hard time living with myself if I allowed them to come into my home and confiscate my property, even though strategically it is the best move, still burns my a$$ though.
>>Unfortunately Dr.Zoidberg is right.....how many of your neighbors will put their lives on the line to back you up?
You would never win a battle like that on your own, it would require mass resistance. I do love your attitude though as I’m the same way.
Conversely, would you put your life on the line to back up your neighbor?
I’m not trying to be snarky, just think about it for a minute.<<
I don’t think I would want a neighbor involved in my troubles, but if I found out my neighbor was being attacked by (we’ll say unknown attackers) I don’t think I’d be able to stop myself from helping out.
As to any other scenario, I’m principally concentrating on making sure we get an actual conservative in the White House next year so I can go back to worrying about pulling my souffle out of the oven before it falls.
I didn't intimate helping out, I said putting your life on the line.
As to any other scenario, I’m principally concentrating on making sure we get an actual conservative in the White House next year so I can go back to worrying about pulling my souffle out of the oven before it falls.
Trusting people in office while you're worrying about your souffle is how we got into this mess....just sayin.
There are a lot of us out here with an equally burnt ass over the prospect,
and then we all get together after the first wave, alive, with our cached weapons, ammo, and supplies,
and go “insurgent” on THEIR asses.
Better happen soon, I’m getting old ;)
The Federal Government under FDR confiscated the gold holdings of U.S. citizens during the Great Depression, and got away with it clean.
Everyone calls it confiscation, but I think “forced buy-up” is more precise.
I recommend that you go "Galt" instead...
Start by taking the entire week off next week after Labor day.
Every dollar that you legally keep from the system by not earning/spending is one less dollar the system will use to buy the votes of the "takers" by being unable to pay for their births, health care, food, housing, education, communication and recreation.
The government will then either have to make actual slaves of us ALL (All being the keyword) or relinquish control back to WE the people after we've shown them who the real Authority is through our organized actions and the election process.
Relax. The government is not going to seize the gold, never again. There just is not enough gold out there to finance the government more than a month or so. It is not worth while to seize gold in today’s world. Secondly, unlike 1933, today, it is not necessary for the government to seize gold in order to inflate and devalue our currency. There is no need nor any reason to seize gold.
On the other hand, 401K’s and IRA’s are worth trillions of dollars. It is the 401K’s and IRA’s that the federal government will seize this time.
What, that old piece of paper written by a bunch of dead, slave-owning white rich guys? What relevance does it have to today’s modern problems and multicultural issues?
/s
JMHO, of course.
There is no greater love, then lying down ones life for his friends.
A coward dies a thousand deaths.
I choose to help the neighbor
Being forced to give up tangible material goods for worthless paper is simply confiscation by another name.
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Forgive me if my subtle wording is lost in the reading. I’ve found myself banned from other forums for posting my thoughts clearly and plainly and I was not looking for a repeat performance on FR.
That said, would I put my life on the line for a neighbor?
Yes, I would. But I prefer to approach this kind of thing with the philosophy of General Patton: “No dumb SOB ever won a war by dying for his country. He won the war by making the other dumb SOB die for his.”
If I take up arms to help my neighbor I’m not entering the fray with any notion of laying down my life for my neighbor. Those who would unjustly attack my neighbor, however, will do so at their own peril.
As to my comment about the souffle? If Sarah Palin were my President and we had a majority of conservatives in both houses of Congress then I’d sleep well at night knowing my country was in good hands. I’d also be more worried about the outcome of my souffle than the outcome of the next budget debate.
I’d much rather have my country in good hands and not have to worry about it then to reckon the prospect of shooting at the armed representatives of a government whose officials think that the Constitution is an impediment to their job.
Stolen property is just that. It doesn’t belong to you just because you happen to have it and aren’t the person who stole it.
Such a deal. Sounds like something Don Corleone would consider a 'fair offer'.
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