Comparing Ancient Babylonian Prices to Today
This article uses gold as a stable benchmark to translate wages and prices from Hammurabi’s Code into modern terms.
Economics of Gold
Gold and the Dollar: A Breakup Story
Gold and the US dollar were once inseparable partners. Now they are sworn rivals. Let's dig into the breakup that shaped the modern economic system.
Gold Reserves vs. Treasuries: Did Gold Just Become the Global Reserve Currency?
The value of central bank gold reserves just surpassed the value of foreign U.S. Treasury holdings. When the biggest players in the world swap bonds for bullion, it’s worth paying attention.
Why is Silver Valuable?
Silver is one of the most attractive investment opportunities today. Despite its growing applications in technology, silver remains extremely undervalued.
What Does the Gold/Oil Ratio Tell Us?
Gold and oil are the two most important commodities in the world. Tracking the gold/oil ratio is like watching the tug-of-war between Wall Street and Main Street.
How Do Tariffs Impact Gold?
Trump’s tariffs have sent gold to an all-time high. Markets expect tariffs to cause some combination of higher inflation, a declining U.S. dollar, geopolitical tensions, and more foreign gold demand.
Would a BRICS Currency Challenge the U.S. Dollar?
Discussions of a new “BRICS currency” are gaining widespread attention. This article explores why an increasing number of foreign nations are attempting to “de-dollarize,” and why gold has emerged as a viable alternative to the USD as the global reserve currency.
Precious Metals Decline Amid Consolidation
As expected, gold and other precious metals traded lower, selling off the exuberance and consolidating after the election results. There’s been a lot of price action in the last week. So let’s take a look at where prices stand as of November 15:
What Causes the Economy to Crash?
Economic crashes begin with artificially low interest rates and credit expansion which lead to a misallocation of resources, inevitably culminating in a recession.
What Backs the United States Dollar?
Prior to 1971, the US dollar was backed by gold. Today, the dollar is backed by 2 things: the government’s ability to generate revenues (via debt or taxes), and its authority to compel economic participants to transact in dollars.
Why Do People Say “Gold is Money”?
History, economic theory, and empirical evidence: three arguments supporting gold as the purest form of money.
Semiconductors, Medicine, and Telescopes: Industrial Uses of Gold
We are all familiar with gold’s visual beauty, which made it the precious metal of kings and emperors for thousands of years. Today, this illustrious yellow metal is no longer reserved for royalty. You rely on gold every day, as does anyone who takes advantage of modern electronics, dentistry, medicine, and…space travel?
Why Does Fiat Currency Fail?
Fiat currencies rule the world, despite their shoddy track record over the last 100 years. What can we learn from fiat currency collapses in recent history?
History of the Gold Standard in America
To understand the history of US monetary system, we must grasp the role of its central protagonist: gold.
How Does Quantitative Easing Impact Gold?
The long-term risks of quantitative easing, including eroding the credibility of the US dollar, are closely linked to gold's performance.
History of Hard Money: Japan’s Lost Decade
In the 1990s, Japan’s economy crashed after a frenzy of debt, speculation, and easy money. Japan’s lost decade now stands as a dire warning to modern economists.