Author: Matt Martin

As a precious metals investor, you may heard much about numismatic and "semi-numismatic" coins, particularly the St. Gaudens $20 double eagle gold coin. While coin collecting can be an interesting hobby, it is not necessarily related to metals investing. Coins of this type vary in value with the ebb and flow of the collector market and are not strictly tied to metal value. Also, these coins often go for much more over spot price than bullion coins.

One of the concepts that gets bandied about quite a bit is the idea of U.S. government confiscation. While it is true that the U.S. government did have a gold recall in 1933 by executive order of FDR, gold coins of a significant value over gold value were not subject to this recall. Many dealers use this to imply that in the event of another confiscation these older coins would fall in this category in order to sell these types of coins to the unsuspecting or newer metals investor. However, the confiscation issue is a red herring for several reasons:

• The dollar was backed by gold in 1933 and the recall was designed at least in part to stop the run on banks; the dollar no longer has any metal backing.
  
• St. Gaudens $20 coins in almost uncirculated to mint state conditions are still very common even considering their age due to decades of mass storage in European bank vaults.
  
• There is nothing that states that numismatic items could not be confiscated in the event of another recall; the original executive order no longer has any force of law.
  
• Gold is no longer used in regular-issue U.S. coinage (the American Eagle gold coin, although it has a face value, does not count) and is typically used only in jewelry and privately-held investment vehicles such as bars and bullion coins which would be harder to recall and account for. The majority of recalled gold coinage in 1933 was housed in bank vaults.
  
• As gold is no longer used as a monetary instrument by the U.S. government, confiscation is unlikely in any event.

Now, you may be wondering about silver in regards to this as well. Silver held sway as coinage for longer than gold, and some silver coins can still be found in circulation. However, silver has never been subject to confiscation, and its status as an important industrial metal gives good reason to believe that there will never be a silver recall.

90% and 40% silver U.S. coinage is still widely available, and although it sounds contrary to what I stated above, these coins are a good value - as long as they can be bought at near silver spot or less. This is an important distinction to make, as old silver coinage (often referred to as junk silver) often carries very little to no value as a collector item over the metal value. These coins, if anything, are semi-numismatic, but don't bank on collector value.

In short, if you approach this from the perspective of a metals investor never look at a coin for collector value. Collector markets are often hard to get a pulse on, and numismatics are much more illiquid than their bullion counterparts. If you're paying more than spot plus a modest premium, you're paying too much.

Find more articles on gold and silver investing at Gold and Silver: The Future of Real Money.

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Soaring With the Direct Marketing Eagles

by: Willie Crawford
Many years ago, there was a popular humorous say that went something like, "It's hard to soar with the eagles when you hang out with the turkeys." The message of course was that your accomplishments are limited by those that you spend most of your time with.
Experts on what it takes to achieve great things have long recognized this fact. Look at any person's 10 closest associates and you can estimate that person's earning potential within a few thousand dollars per year. It will be very close to the group's average. Part of the reason that's true is because the group defines what's expected of its members. Any member stepping out of line is somehow admonished for "rocking the boat."
To change your income, you DO have to change who you associate with. You don't have to drop your friends, but you do have to associate with those already doing what you want to do. You do have to associate with those already earning what you plan on earning. You need this "association" to elevate your thinking.
My friend Joel Christopher is the perfect example of this concept in action. Joel immigrated from the Philippines many year ago, and worked as a physical therapist for a while. However, he was attracted to the Internet marketing arena by several factors including the possibility of increased earning and the fact that an Internet business would allow him to spend more time with his family.
When I first met Joel in 2002, I noticed that he had surrounded himself with some of the best Internet marketers around. At a seminar he sponsored, I saw that he had Dr. Joe Vitale, Marlon Sanders, Terry Dean, and Paul Myers, and many other people I revered speaking. I later learned that Joe Vitale was part of his mastermind group. Marlon and Joel were such close friend that Marlon had moved to the same neighborhood that Joel was in, and they often went for long walks where they brainstormed.
As I saw what Joel was doing, I also decided that I would soar with the eagles. I had proof beyond dispute that associating with very successful people would eventually pull anyone closer to their level. Actually, I had watched this concept at work during my many years in the U.S. Air Force. Those who aspired to be generals knew that they had to spend time being mentored and groomed by generals. It was common knowledge that without a "sponsor" you would never make the higher ranks no matter how well you did your job.
Every Second Lieutenant is advised to volunteer for all kinds of projects just to get noticed by the "higher ups."
Getting back to my friend Joel and the art of associating with "the right people"... Joel is now a partner with Ted Nicholas, "the 4 Billion Dollar Man." Ted is called this because his copywriting and direct marketing skills have managed to sell that much merchandise over the years. Most of this was through mail order. Ted is a direct marketing genius that can hold an audience captivated for hours! My library is filled with recordings of his presentations.
Ted Nicholas is the best-selling author of 15 books including his latest masterpiece "How To Turn Words Into Money" He's considered the "King of Print", the "Copywriter's Copywriter", the "Entrepreneur's Entrepreneur" and the "GodFather of Direct Marketing." Ted is the guru that many other great copywriters learned from and someone I'm now learning from.
Joel is also now a partner with Carl Turner. Carl was "marketing legend" Jay Abraham's "right hand man" for years! When I last called Joel's office number, Carl returned the call. Call has also now moved to San Antonio to work closer with Joel.
What’s the point in all of this rambling. Simply that if you aspire to higher levels of accomplishment, you absolutely must associate with those who can help shape your thinking appropriately. You must "hitch your wagon to a star."
You must not only understand the art of pulling yourself up to the next level, you must also take action. As an example, I aspired to be at the level Joel and all of those speakers were at when I attended Joel's seminar in 2002. On March 18th -19th of this year, I will be on stage at Joel Christopher's and Ted Nicholas' Double Birthday Bash in San Antonio, Texas. Several years of associating with and allowing these marketing geniuses to teach me has pulled me closer to where I want to be.
I'd like to encourage you to join us in San Antonio this month. You'll get to associate with all of the major players at a giant birthday party. You'll get to learn from, form associations with, and identify those who can help make your Internet marketing dreams a reality. These dreams could be as simple as launching your next software or ebook project, or they could be 7-figure aspirations as mine are.
To sign up for the double birthday bash and hang out with the direct marketing and Internet marketing elite, visit: http://WillieCrawford.com/birthdaybash.html
Why do Joel and I spend so much time and energy getting to know and partner with people like Ted. We understand that you have to:
Allow others to expand what you believe to be possible.
Allow others to demonstrate to you what is doable.
Allow others to hold you accountable for what you say you're going to accomplish.
Those are the real reasons you want to allow the eagles to teach you to soar. And in case you're wondering, I have no intention of moving to San Antonio - I love the Florida beaches too much :-)
Copyright 2005 Willie Crawford
About The Author
Willie Crawford is a corporate president, published author, seminar speaker and host, tele-seminar speaker and host, retired military officer, karate black belt, Master Network Marketing Trainer, and lifetime student of marketing. He shows people how to actually generate substantial income on-line using very simple, easily modeled systems. An example of such a system that you can study and duplicate is at: http://ProfitMagician.com.

Bald Eagles Arrive in Squamish BC

by: Gord Addison
Once again our planet’s largest gatherings of Bald Eagles in underway in Squamish British Columbia, just North of Vancouver BC, and just 50 km south of the world class Whistler Ski Resort. Based on population estimates, up to 5% of the world’s bald eagles winter in the very this very accessible area. From one viewing space, often dozens of Eagles can be seen, and a short walk in the right direction will allow you to see many more.
For decades, thousands of majestic Bald Eagles have been gathering on the riverbanks of the Squamish and Cheakamus Rivers, feasting on the ample salmon that either did not quite make it to the spawning channels, or have accomplished their life’s goal, and thus have met their subsequent demise. Working to preserve their energy in the winter months, eagles will eat up to a two pounds of this high value protein every day.
The highlight of the eagle-viewing period is the annual Bald Eagle Count, which will take place on January 8th this year and is headquartered out of the Brackendale Art Gallery. Using consistent methodology, a count of the eagles in the area on this weekend every year has been kept since 1986. In 1994 a world record 3769 eagles were counted within a few kilometers of the Squamish area and its tributary rivers.
Bad weather can be good for eagle viewing as the eagles tend to stay closer to the riverbanks and closer to viewing areas. When the weather is great, they are more likely to be off for a little fly around the rivers, mountains and forests of the Squamish area.
One of the best ways to see the Bald Eagles in their spectacular surroundings right in their own habitat is on an Eagle Float tour, or Eagle Safari through Canadian Outback Adventures. (www.canadianoutback.com) A dream experience for adventure travelers, photographers, families, schools and educational groups, it is the best way to get up close to these raptors without disturbing them. While they usually run white water rafting trips in the summer, in winter, Canadian Outback takes vacationers on float tours down the rivers in the area in order to see these spectacular birds in their natural habitat, all with stunning mountain and forest backdrops.
The closest accommodation to the prime eagle viewing area in Brackendale is the Sea to Sky Hotel & Conference Center (www.seatoskyhotel.com) on Highway 99 at Garibaldi Way. Excellent eagle viewing areas are only about a kilometer away. The hotel also offers discount ski packages to those traveling to ski or board at Whistler Blackcomb.
There are other good viewing areas in town, particularly along the river dykes at the end of Judd Road, and around the spawning channels between the Mamquam River and the Squamish Valley Golf and Country Club.
Directions: To see the eagles from arguably the best viewing area, turn west from Highway 99 at Garibaldi Way. This is a left hand turn if you are coming from Vancouver, or a right hand turn if you are coming from Whistler. Turn right again in about 20 metres at the T-junction with Government Road. Follow Government road for just under one kilometer, and you will be at the Eagle Viewing area. There is lots of parking on the right and an interpretive center on the dyke from which you can get a great view of dozens of Bald Eagles. If you are very lucky, there may also be a few seals around, as well as a variety of other bird species. On weekends from December to mid-February there are often volunteers from Squamish’s Eagle Watch program on have to offer more information and a peek through higher powered telescopes. Other great viewing areas are near the Tenderfoot Fish Hatchery, The Squamish Estuary, and near the Spawning channels between the Mamquam River and the Squamish Valley Golf and Country club.
Squamish is an outdoor recreation Mecca with thousands of rock climbing routes, hundreds of kilometers of Mountain Bike trails, a dozen excellent day hikes, some of the best windsurfing and kite-surfing on the west coast of North America, excellent white water rafting or kayaking, and scuba diving in Howe Sound. For the less adventurous, there is fishing, 3 scenic golf courses, walking trails, beaches and lakes, and sailing available. The new Squamish Adventure Center was recently opened on Highway 99.
About The Author
Gord Addison has teravelled extensively over four continents. He currently makes his home in Squamish BC and finds time to write when he is not running, climbing, mountain biking, hiking, or cycling.
gord@seatoskyhotel.com

Bald Eagles Arrive in Squamish BC

by: Gord Addison
Once again our planet’s largest gatherings of Bald Eagles in underway in Squamish British Columbia, just North of Vancouver BC, and just 50 km south of the world class Whistler Ski Resort. Based on population estimates, up to 5% of the world’s bald eagles winter in the very this very accessible area. From one viewing space, often dozens of Eagles can be seen, and a short walk in the right direction will allow you to see many more.
For decades, thousands of majestic Bald Eagles have been gathering on the riverbanks of the Squamish and Cheakamus Rivers, feasting on the ample salmon that either did not quite make it to the spawning channels, or have accomplished their life’s goal, and thus have met their subsequent demise. Working to preserve their energy in the winter months, eagles will eat up to a two pounds of this high value protein every day.
The highlight of the eagle-viewing period is the annual Bald Eagle Count, which will take place on January 8th this year and is headquartered out of the Brackendale Art Gallery. Using consistent methodology, a count of the eagles in the area on this weekend every year has been kept since 1986. In 1994 a world record 3769 eagles were counted within a few kilometers of the Squamish area and its tributary rivers.
Bad weather can be good for eagle viewing as the eagles tend to stay closer to the riverbanks and closer to viewing areas. When the weather is great, they are more likely to be off for a little fly around the rivers, mountains and forests of the Squamish area.
One of the best ways to see the Bald Eagles in their spectacular surroundings right in their own habitat is on an Eagle Float tour, or Eagle Safari through Canadian Outback Adventures. (www.canadianoutback.com) A dream experience for adventure travelers, photographers, families, schools and educational groups, it is the best way to get up close to these raptors without disturbing them. While they usually run white water rafting trips in the summer, in winter, Canadian Outback takes vacationers on float tours down the rivers in the area in order to see these spectacular birds in their natural habitat, all with stunning mountain and forest backdrops.
The closest accommodation to the prime eagle viewing area in Brackendale is the Sea to Sky Hotel & Conference Center (www.seatoskyhotel.com) on Highway 99 at Garibaldi Way. Excellent eagle viewing areas are only about a kilometer away. The hotel also offers discount ski packages to those traveling to ski or board at Whistler Blackcomb.
There are other good viewing areas in town, particularly along the river dykes at the end of Judd Road, and around the spawning channels between the Mamquam River and the Squamish Valley Golf and Country Club.
Directions: To see the eagles from arguably the best viewing area, turn west from Highway 99 at Garibaldi Way. This is a left hand turn if you are coming from Vancouver, or a right hand turn if you are coming from Whistler. Turn right again in about 20 metres at the T-junction with Government Road. Follow Government road for just under one kilometer, and you will be at the Eagle Viewing area. There is lots of parking on the right and an interpretive center on the dyke from which you can get a great view of dozens of Bald Eagles. If you are very lucky, there may also be a few seals around, as well as a variety of other bird species. On weekends from December to mid-February there are often volunteers from Squamish’s Eagle Watch program on have to offer more information and a peek through higher powered telescopes. Other great viewing areas are near the Tenderfoot Fish Hatchery, The Squamish Estuary, and near the Spawning channels between the Mamquam River and the Squamish Valley Golf and Country club.
Squamish is an outdoor recreation Mecca with thousands of rock climbing routes, hundreds of kilometers of Mountain Bike trails, a dozen excellent day hikes, some of the best windsurfing and kite-surfing on the west coast of North America, excellent white water rafting or kayaking, and scuba diving in Howe Sound. For the less adventurous, there is fishing, 3 scenic golf courses, walking trails, beaches and lakes, and sailing available. The new Squamish Adventure Center was recently opened on Highway 99.
About The Author
Gord Addison has teravelled extensively over four continents. He currently makes his home in Squamish BC and finds time to write when he is not running, climbing, mountain biking, hiking, or cycling.
gord@seatoskyhotel.com