Regular readers may remember our recent article on “Gold, an alternative Currency of Confidence?”
We discussed that alternative currencies are not a new phenomenon and have taken various forms in countries such as Canada, Australia, USA and the UK.

A common theme for their introduction was that they were local currencies introduced to stimulate local economies by encouraging customers to shop close to home and support local businesses. They were also the product of peoples’ dissatisfaction with Globalisation and its’ impact or even control of National economics and policies.

Alternative currencies reflect the frustration of being “controlled” by Goliath and is”David” saying “I’m taking back control because I don’t trust you, your policies, your strategies, your empty promises, your ability to manage the economy, your concern for regular citizens or your failing, devalued, paper money”. LIRE LA SUITE SUR NOTRE BLOG ANGLAIS, GOLD COIN.ORG

After its tenth consecutive year at a high, and after closing 2010 with a 25% increase, the price of gold will continue the same trend in 2011.

Precious metal experts, financiers and market analysts from different countries all agree that the combination of factors which encourages a high price for gold will continue to benefit the sector in 2011 and investors will continue to see gold as a safe haven in the face of a very delicate global economic situation. LIRE LA SUITE SUR NOTRE BLOG ANGLAIS, GOLD COIN.ORG

The weakness of the dollar, the instability of the European economies and the volatility of United States bonds has scared investors. India is the principal consumer of gold. China is the principal global gold producer. Is there any link here? Despite this reality, and with gold prices at historic highs, China and India are continuing to buy major quantities of precious metals. In fact, the quantities are so high that they are becoming the pillars which are supporting the upward trend in the value of the troy ounce for 2011. LIRE LA SUITE SUR NOTRE BLOG ANGLAIS, GOLD COIN.ORG

Over recent decades the World has experienced a number of financial bubbles. Each one of them has reduced incomes, pulled down currencies, shaken entire financial systems or caused panic in the global economy. Since the Tequila effect in 1995, the Asian bubble in 1997, the bursting of the .com bubble at the beginning of the new Millennium, not to mention other crises leading to the mortgage and financial bubble over the last two years, currencies throughout the World have suffered adjustments which have led to losses of thousands of millions for savers of all sizes around the World. LIRE LA SUITE SUR NOTRE BLOG ANGLAIS, GOLD COIN.ORG

The subject has been around for a while but the Obama administration is running out of options to tackle the spiralling National Debt. There is some high profile support for the idea notably from Fed chief Bernanke. This is understandable given the potential revenue such a tax could generate for the Government coffers.There is obviously genuine opposition to the imposition of such a tax and even last May a motion in the US Senate was defeated 85 to 13.
However, as with all politicians faced with a dwindling number of alternatives the idea eventually focuses the minds otherwise.
It also has something to do with the sheer scale of the problems facing the administration. LIRE LA SUITE SUR NOTRE BLOG ANGLAIS, GOLD COIN.ORG

First revealed here as a World Exclusive in English “Eric Cantona’s French Revolution” (Oct 22) explains the views of the ex-Manchester United player on the French strikes and his suggestion for “another way” of attracting the attention of President Sarkozy and his Government. His suggestion was that the 3 Million or more demonstrators would have a bigger impact on the “System” which is “built on the Banks” by quietly withdrawing all their money from their bank accounts. This, he suggested, would encourage the President and his cohorts to “listen to us differently” (…) LIRE LA SUITE SUR NOTRE BLOG ANGLAIS, GOLD COIN.ORG

China is set to buy and continue to buy Gold in the coming years as its excess of Forex reserves spiral upwards. At present 1.7% of this is invested in Gold but as they are due to run a further surplus of $2.7 Trillion over the next five years they will have to buy between 1,000 and 1,500 tonnes just to match the current ratio. There is a strong possibility that they will buy even more to avoid exposure to further dollar devaluations (…) LIRE LA SUITE SUR NOTRE BLOG ANGLAIS, GOLD COIN.ORG

Invest with trepidation because most traditional ways like savings accounts, property, government bonds, shares, hedge funds etc are inevitably taking a risk by sharing someone else’s debt. Your investment helps them create even more credit and therefore fictitious money. This credit enters a worldwide cycle that continues to spiral upwards. World debt is out of control and nobody has an answer to “if” it can ever be paid. The so-called strongest economy in the world, the US, currently has an annual budget requirement of $3.5 Trillion. US Government income is $2 Trillion annually and this could decrease with decreasing tax revenues caused by unemployment. It therefore borrows $1.5 Trillion just to stand still.
Who is lending them this money?
What is it guaranteed against? (is it guaranteed?)
How much interest are they paying?
Can they afford the interest?
Can they ever afford to repay it all back?
(…) LIRE LA SUITE SUR NOTRE BLOG ANGLAIS, GOLD COIN.ORG

It’s worth a thought – a revolution without a drop of blood, a shot, any forms of arms and not even a mass gathering or peaceful march on Parliament. Then how I hear you ask. Well according to our well-loved french sage Eric Cantona nothing could be simpler or more powerful. In a recent interview now viewed widely on youtube Eric suggests a novel yet ultimately effective and poignant way for the French to draw the attention of their unfeeling and uncaring President Sarkozy. LIRE LA SUITE SUR NOTRE BLOG ANGLAIS, GOLD COIN.ORG

Where would we turn to if the known currencies of the world suddenly devalued and became worthless in real terms?
Throughout history there have been instances when all faith has been lost in the official currency usually because it has become worthless and therefore all confidence has been lost. However, people have always looked for an alternative to maintain commerce and everyday survival. This has sometimes taken the form of bartering but its limitations are often in the assignement of some recognisable value to a wide range of goods and services. There has to be some common denominator and unit value that is commonly recognised and therefore allows the cycle of trade to turn. (…) LIRE LA SUITE SUR NOTRE BLOG ANGLAIS, GOLD COIN.ORG

Nineteen of 24 traders, investors and analysts surveyed by Bloomberg, or 79 percent, said the metal will gain this week. Four forecast lower prices and one was neutral. Hedge-fund managers and other large speculators increased their net-long position in New York gold futures in the week ended Aug. 17, according to U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission data. LIRE LA SUITE SUR NOTRE BLOG ANGLAIS, GOLD COIN.ORG

Gold is linked to the US dollar and in a simple equation strong dollar = weaker gold, weak dollar higher gold price. The future strength of the dollar depends on the economic prospects for America and they are not good, therefore the dollar will weaken and gold strengthen. On top of these there are moves afoot to remover the dollar from its status of reserve currency which to date has been a factor supporting for the dollar.

Earlier I reported that Europe can no longer support its very expensive social welfare programs and the shrinking working population will not be able to support the growing pensioners with there over generous pensions and of course the ugly head of unemployment.

I also indicated that the US viewed the European situation with derision as its old fashioned ideas dictated that its time was over. “Judge not lest you be judged” LIRE LA SUITE SUR NOTRE BLOG ANGLAIS, GOLDCOIN.ORG

The European Union is facing an economic and political crisis that threatens the single currency, exposes greed, bureaucratic strangulation, unsustainable social welfare programmes, raises questions on protectionism and the very fabric of the free market. If that was not enough, the weakness of its leaders becomes apparent and two of the giants France and Germany support a different solution. There is a very English phrase “ to muddle through” and that is what European leaders have been doing and hope they can continue doing so as not to put emphasis on radical change that can upset the apple cart either internally or externally. Muddling through depends on growth. LIRE LA SUITE SUR NOTRE BLOG ANGLAIS, GOLDCOIN.ORG

Original the regulators, the Committee of European Banking Supervisors (CEBS), were only to look at the biggest European banks but they expanded the list to include 91 after there were some worries over some medium sized banks. Collectively these 91 banks represent 65% of the European banking sector an the number and size of banks vary from country to country but be at least 50% of each countries banking sector. LIRE LA SUITE SUR NOTRE BLOG ANGLAIS, GOLDCOIN.ORG