The Franklin Mint, which is the world’s largest private minter of coins, has such a good reputation that it produces commemorative coins for many goverments of the world. (I should point out that NORFED is a different company.)
Private companies have never caused inflation, whether through the debasement of coins or through paper money, as governments have. The reason is simple. It is illegal for private companies to say something that isn’t silver (or gold) is silver (or gold). Of course, in the case of the Liberty Dollar, the person who accepts the paper certificates of the company (as opposed to its coins) has to rely on the signed audit of the inventory of the company, and we all know that you can’t completely trust CPA firms (or anybody else). (I always recommend that people diversify their wealth.)
The use of coins and paper money by Constitutionalists as expressions of political speech is very appropriate.
From their perspective, the writing out of the Constituteion the provision that only gold and silver would be legal tender, and that bills of credit (government-issued paper money) are prohibited, is part and parcel of the growth of big government in our country.
Where we once had a federal government of limited and enumerated powers, we now have a federal government that can make it illegal for you to grow marijuana on your own property and consume it while on your own property, because if you didn’t do that, you might buy government-sanctioned drugs such as prescription drugs or alcohol and, thus, your consumption of marijuana affects inter-state commerce. Any true conservative, such as Sandra Day O’Conner, who wrote the dissent in that case, would feel like our Constitution is completely without any protection of individual liberty or property (except that being homosexual acts are absolutely protected).
For some people, it’s the abortion issue that illustrates how powerful government has become, that life itself, of the weak and defenseless, is no longer protected. For others, it’s the 2nd Amendment. But, whether we’re talking about freedom of religion, freedom of expression, the right to privacy, or the other rights in the Constitution or simply understood by everyone to be our rights at the Founding, for libertarians all of our rights are part of one right, namely, that right that comes from being sons and daughters of God who is Lord over all, including of the kings of this world.
A coin as speech is fine and I agree it is appropriate. This guy, however, IS a huckster. He tries to ride a fine line by claiming the coins as “currency” while simultaneously denying that they are currency. If you want gold coins, then buy coins like the Maple Leaf, American Eagle, etc. and not stuff from a charlatan who plays on people’s sentiment. You mentioned the Franlin Mint. The Franklin Mint has permission from countries to make those commemorative coins.
Also, I have no problem with barter. I do have a problem with someone who is duping people with a scam.