The State of Arizona now mints Gold, Silver and Copper coins…
Now for the rest of the story.
Arizona became a state on February 14, 1912.
It was the last of the 48 contiguous states to be admitted to the union.
In 2005 the Governor of Arizona, Janet Napolitano, established a coordinating committee to honor Arizona's centennial in 2012.
The planned celebration provided an opportunity to be exploited by liberty minded activists.
Prior to the legislative session beginning in January of 2007 I received a call from State Senator Karen Johnson (R). She was very concerned about many things, but felt Global Central Banking was a clear and present danger to the United States and asked if I could conjure up some sort of legislation that would allow a single state legislator to have an impact.
FreedomsPhoenix Senior Editor, Powell Gammill, and I made a trip to her legislative office and brainstormed with her and her aide K.W.
Powell and I were of the opinion that if the State of Arizona were ever to produce Gold, Silver and Copper coins the ripple effect would be felt all over the planet. K.W. then mentioned that in 5 years the 100 year celebration of Arizona’s statehood might be a good opportunity to justify the minting of “Commemorative Medallions”. Boomshakalaka!
Immediately Powell and I returned to my home where a few minutes of Internet searching provided us a framework to work with. The State of Oklahoma had as part of their sesquicentennial celebration the minting of ‘Commemorative Medallions’ (close enough).
Discussing this effort with other activists prompted the discovery that the State of Arizona had already created a Copper Medallion in 1963 to celebrate Arizona’s 100 year anniversary as a Territory. A search on eBay and $38 dollars got me one in my hand that was immediately used by the Senator as a prop to convince the legislature and Governor Janet Napolitano that Arizona’s own precious metals would be minted into coins for sale to the public ‘in quantities that would supply all public demand’.
Past experience had taught us that we must check the wording of the law constantly as it passed through ‘Legislative Council’ (where the laws are really made). No matter what was passed on the legislative floor you could count on very important aspects not making it to the final printed version. We were surprised that we were successful in getting the legislation passed in as good a condition as we did. The primary provision that we focused on in the minting of pure Gold Coins was that they be available in quantities that would supply ‘all public demand’ (“prepaid” would later be added). It was also this provision, ‘all public demand’ that was constantly omitted in the final copy that was to be approved after it was voted on… makes you go Hmmmmm.
Ron Paul filed his exploratory committee in January 2007 at the same time we were meeting with Senator Johnson. Her understanding of the evils of Central Banking prompted me to introduce her to Ron Paul’s campaign and she would be the first legislator to endorse him openly that I know of and became his Arizona State co-chair.
- FAST FORWARD 5 YEARS TO 2012 -
Arizona Mints Gold, Silver and Copper Medallions to Celebrate 100 years as a State this Valentine's Day February 14th 1912
PDF of Law
Page 19 Line 26+
This legislation was written in an effort to introduce precious metals to the people of Arizona (and the planet).
As the centennial drew close, I did a show on 'Declare Your Independence with Ernest Hancock", to which one of the local listeners responded by purchasing Gold, Silver and Copper Medallions,… and then he got a lesson that he shared with us.
Pricing for Gold, Silver and Copper Coins (PDF)
By listening to the last two hours of my radio show (Declare Your Independence with Ernest Hancock) on 3-1-12, you will learn the rest of the story.
03-01-2012 Hour 2 Ernest Hancock talks with
03-01-2012 Hour 3 Ernest Hancock talks with
There are other similar efforts across the country. Arizona has demonstrated that the production of precious metal coins by one of America’s states is possible. But the inefficiencies and corruption that is inherent in the state will always be a burden to the effort.
We’ll continue to press the state on the issues surrounding this effort (they have NO Idea what is coming) but in the end, the lesson learned will be a ‘No State’ answer to what gets traded as “money”.
And THAT is what this eZine Edition was all about.
Now you know.
Peace,
Ernie