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Thursday, June 17, 2010

Gold Coins Question

I know that you have covered this topic before; however, I wanted to ask you a specific question about the types of gold coins. I have 90% silver pre-1965 coins, silver rounds, and some ASE; however, I wanted to augment this with some gold coins. I was looking at the Kruggerands, American Eagles as well as the Mexican gold coins, and other European coins. The main drawback with the Mexican and European coins is that they do not show the content of gold within the coin. In your experience has this been a big concern when it comes time to cash these coins in or barter with them? The Mexican and European coins tend to sell for less of a premium over spot.

Also, you mentioned that the 90% coins are not as good as the mint coins due to their not having the amount of silver marked on them. The concern I had was that with ASEs and rounds they are full 1 ozt silver so you will have to use the entire coin. With 90% silver dimes you could just use what you need. The rounds and ASEs are good; however, I wonder if for the silver side if I shouldn't get a mix of all three.

Thanks for your assistance.

Scott



Hi Scott, 
Unless you deal with a specific precious metal dealer you wont get a fair trade so your gold and silver coins will be better sold at those places, you’re not going to be “bartering” them unless you know you’re getting a fair trade, and don’t expect that to happen often in a barter club or street fair after a crisis.
Based on what I’ve seen, they try to take advantage of you, so you’re better off selling it first at a reputable metal trader for whatever amount of funny colored pieces of paper it is worth that day (sell small amounts after the crisis, so as to protect yourself from speeding inflation) . In that case, well recognized bullion coins are accepted for their metal content, so Krugerands, Eagles, Maple Leafs, or Mexicans, its ok. 

As for junk silver in pre 1965 dimes, they are a well recognized coin as well, not only in USA but in many parts around the world too. Indeed do get a good amount of them if you find a good deal. The pre 65 dimes are even better than junk gold jewelry in USA, the thing is that junk gold jewelry is plentiful all around the world so that’s what all the “I buy gold” guys are after it. 

What does this mean? That today I can drop by a “I buy gold” dealer and offer a few silver dimes, chances are that , here in Argentina, he wont ever bother or offer a serious price for them, while a piece of 18K jewelry, I’ll be losing some money in the trade, but he’s buy whatever amount of weight I’m willing to sell.
To get a better deal on my pre 65 dimes in Argentina I’d have to go to a coin PM dealer.

This does NOT, I repeat, DOES NOT mean that you should put serious % of your savings in junk gold, I never said that. I’ve always called in post SHTF pocket change for a reason: Because its very easy to find someone willing to buy it. Do you put 50% of your saving in junk gold? Of course not, but you look around pawn shops or on line for good deals, so as to have a small amount of that readily accepted “pocket change” if you ever need it and you haven’t found a good dealer to sell your coins at. Mostly look for broken jewelry, chains are easy to cut and sell smaller pieces of gold or old wedding bands in pawn shops.

At least for me, the key is not getting fooled when buying. Silver dimes or even broken jewelry getting sold for their precious metal content, you know you still have the actual metal in it and as they say, its not getting any lighter. Just be careful, soon enough there’s going to be lots of con men around trying to steal form people. Just like with everything else that requires a dose of good faith, stick to reputable people that have been around for a while and have others that vouch for them. You are far less likely to be tricked by people with good reputation. Also important, learn your business, do lots of research and dedicate time to learn the difference. I’ve seen jewelry being sold as 18k that was clearly plated. In many cases you can tell the difference just by sight, better yet use an electronic detector.

FerFAL

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Cold Steel Sale!

Guys, I often recommend Cold Steel products, some are on sale right now, best price I've ever seen on their machetes.
http://www.ltspecpro.com/july-4th-sale.html

I particularly like the Short Bowie machete as a weapon/GP tool, the Spear point looks good too. I only have the Bowie one that I posted about, I'd love to have an extra one (specially at that price) or a spear point one. 8 bucks for that Spear point? I'd get at least a couple.
This is the one I recommend, Spear Point 12" machete. Excellent knife. Heck, buy two and sell one to me, I'd gladly pay a few extra bucks over retail for your trouble. :-)

Anyway, thought I'd pass the word. I have no affiliation as I have with the Amazon products which helps with a small %, but those are terrific prices for those preparing with a tight budget.

FerFAL

Tea Party


Participate in Tea Parties, get involved. That same flame that makes America great still lives, so don’t be pessimists and get actively involved.
 What I would give to have such movements in my own country!
But I don’t, and you do, so don’t let them go to waste, ok?
This is about survivalism folks, you don’t want to be a free minded individual in an authoritarian country, and you have to fight the idea of big socialist government being ok every time you can.
Why do I think that USA is still the best country in the world and where I want to live? Here’s why:


FerFAL

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

What I brought back from US

I though some people might wonder this, what I bought and why I did it given the limited space I have. Nothing spectacular, didn’t even put much thought into it just bought stuff I noticed as I went, but I think it helps illustrate what I found over there that is either impossible to find in Argentina or just too expensive after the economic crisis:

AA and AAA batteries. We have those of course, adn I have a good supply, but they cost a lot more and even though I had I just couldn’t stop myself from grabbing a couple of those 20 battery packs. Here they sell them by 2, 4 maybe 8, but I’ve even seen single battery packaging! An American walmart is such a source of richness compared to what we have here, with far less variety, more expensive to add insult.

Iphone. Costs almost 1000 bucks in Argentina.

Cookies. Chips a Hoy cookies, Oreos, and Little Debbie chocolate cupcakes. We used to have cupcakes here but there stopped being imported after the crisis. Oreos? We have locally made oreos, which of course are 5 times more expensive, smaller and of worse quality and taste. F you very much Kraft food.


 American Oreos on top, Argentina ones below. The American pack (510g) costs almost as much as the much smaller Argentine one.

 American Oreo cookie on the left, Argentina Oreo cookie on the right. In my opinion, a perfet analogy of what happens after SHTF: The name's the same, but its smaller, more expensive, of worse quality and looks like crap. 

Toys. Toys R US , is like paradise over there. Toys in Argentina are more expensive, of worse quality, and most of the real nice stuff you guys have over there simply never makes it over here. Bought a nice dinosaur toy and several smaller toys, crayola crayons, all things that are not for sale here and if you find any sold by an importer the price is too high.

Magazines and books. Gun magazines cost a lot more here and usually we get older editions so I stocked up. Preferably I bought special edition ones “AK G&S special edition” for example, so as to have a magazine that goes in depth on points of interest and keep as reference material.

Glock and Hi Power magazines. Those were a gift actually, but I would have bought some if I hadn’t got them for free. A Glock mag costs 100 USD here. Thanks Paul!

S&W Bowie. Nice, El Alamo style bowie. Thanks Luke!

Stainless steel water bottle. I wish I had found a Sigg or equivalent quality stainless steel water bottle but this one was or for like 5 bucks at the store.

Gorilla Tape and Duct Tape. (edited to add these, can't believe I forgot them) Gorilla tape was something I wanted and managed to get before leaving. I knew it was good becuase I've often  read how good it was, it even got mentioned in Popular Scinece mag as one of the best products of the year. I bought two big rolls and another big roll of Duck Tape, all for laughable low prices in comaprison. Gorilla tape isn't even available in Argentina and I was about to buy it through Ebay. HIGHLY recommended product. Also bought Gorilla glue which is supposed to be very good too. Tried the Gorilla Tape and it lives to its reputation, best tape on planet Earth, haven't tried the glue yet though.


I’m sure I’m forgetting a few other purchases but that’s mostly it.
Wish I could have bough ammo, would have filled a suitcase worth of it given the cheap prices you guys enjoy, not to mention a couple other guns.

Take care guys.


FerFAL

Monday, June 14, 2010

Survival tips from Sarajevo

This writng has been around for a while and just came across it today as well. Good, to the point information that works not only during war but serious social unrest as well when the country fails for long or short periods of time. Worth reading:
http://www.friends-partners.org/bosnia/surintro.html


FerFAL