one of the suggestions was to invest in precious metals,
such as Gold and Silver,
and to have it in your hand (not on paper).
In Part 1 of this series, I covered a brief history of Gold (and Silver) as currency, the idea of a gold standard, confiscation of privately held gold, and the idea of "legitimate and customary use."
In Part 2 of this series, I covered the idea of coins as collectibles, currency not shaped as what we understand coins to be, the idea of fractional gold, what a gold spot is, counterfeit coinage, and introduced Goldbacks (GB).
In Part 3 of this series, I covered how GBs are created, anti-counterfeiting measures, how you can spend them, issues associated with them, benefits of them, and buying and selling them.
Now I want to update you on the expansion of the GB program from more states getting their own specially designed GBs, the addition of new fractional values available, and new places to actually spend them!
More states are passing legislation to legalize the use of gold and silver as currency within their states and they are having their own GB State series created just for them (in part 3 I discussed how the design process was unique for each state). As of today, the following states have signed up to the GB program (with the denominations available for that State):
2026 Washington, DC - only a colorized 1 GB for the 250th Anniversary
2027 Colorado - TBD
2027 Ohio - TBD
GBs are interchangeable, so a Utah 1 GB is equal to a Nevada 1 GB and so on. And, since GBs are 24k gold, they can be spent like gold. And GBs from any state can be spent in any place that accepts GBs (now around the world - see below).
How is the value determined? First, on the fractional value of the gold in each note, then a surcharge is added to cover the cost of the materials, design, and production. The smaller the fraction of gold used, the higher the cost to make it. Keep in mind that as the price of gold increases, the value of these fractional denominations will also rise. I purchased 1GBs in 2025 for $3.12 each (free shipping) and now are selling for $7.98 (no matter what state you select). Historically, the price of gold rises over time, so an investment now will ultimately provide an increase over time. Also, some have become collector's items (like the 2019 issue of Utah GBs) so they will have a 'collectable value' above the value of the gold they contain.
What are they currently worth? Goldback.com provides a daily exchange rate that will fluctuate with the price of gold. The exchange rates are updated daily at 10am MST using the global market rate for a troy ounce of gold. As of the day this article was written, the exchange rates were (click to enlarge):
Where can you spend GBs? I mostly use mine as tips when I am someplace where a tip is expected and I explain that, right now, it should be treated as a collectable. Plus, they don't have to 'split' the tip with anyone else. However, as more states get their own GB series and more businesses join the Goldback Merchant program, you will be able to use your GBs to buy services and products. Goldbacks are accepted in various businesses around the world (not everywhere but a surprising number of US states as well as foreign countries accept them!)
Right now, the following categories of businesses are accepting GBs: Automotive, Beauty and Personal Care, Education and Training, Entertainment and Leisure, Food and Beverage, Health & Wellness, Home Services, Miscellaneous, Professional Services, Real Estate, Retail, Technology and IT, Travel and Tourism. You might find some businesses in categories where you would not expect because they have to choose from a limited number of category options. Categories will expand as more businesses join.
Now that more people are finding out about GBs, more states are joining the program, more fractional denominations are available, and more businesses are signing up to accept FBs, I've decided to revise the handout I provide when I tip using GBs (so I don't have to say the same thing every time I hand one out). Here is my new handout (I print on both sides then fold in 1/2 long ways, then 1/2 longs ways again, then in half side ways and place the GB inside):
Those are some of the exact words used by Google’s censors, aka 'Orwellian content police,' in describing many of our controversial stories. Stories later proven to be truthful and light years ahead of the mainstream media. But because we reported those 'inconvenient truths' they're trying to bankrupt ANP.
