Join us for a mini-seminar on the origins of free market money and the current state of government money, a history of gold in periods of authoritarianism, and insights into gold exploration and mining through history. Reception to follow.

Walter Block: “Is gold free enterprise money? A critique of opponents of the gold standard.”

Bob Hoye: “The valuation of gold through the three epochs of tyranny and financial havoc in history.”

Morgan Poliquin: “Gold: Exploration and mining through the ages and thoughts on the future.”

 

ABOUT: Money is one of the most important human inventions. It enables people to cooperate widely. It facilitates exchange and all transaction of goods. Practically all civilizations through human history have gradually and spontaneously agreed that money should be gold. But the value of gold isn’t just as a medium of exchange. Because of gold's unique qualities, its uses are constantly expanding as new entrepreneurship seeks better, cheaper and more efficient ways to serve mankind. From golden Buddhas to electronics, industrial uses make up about 300 tonnes of the roughly 2,500 tonnes that are produced annually.

The original paper monies created by states were redeemable for gold. Known as the “gold standard,” this period coincided with the most significant rises in real wealth the world has ever seen. In the 20th century, modern states have reneged on their promises of gold redemption, divorcing legal tender from gold. This has enabled politicians to print money at random to finance war, special interests, and political ambition. We have borne the results in the form of devastating losses of life, the destruction of savings, massive debt, and a “live today, die tomorrow” society. However, there is one gleaming hope. GOLD: the free market money.

WHEN: September 13th, 2008 between 3:00 - 6:00

WHERE: at the Vancouver Convention Centre, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, B.C., Canada

HOW TO REGISTER: This event will be held immediately after the Ludwig von Mises Institute’s morning seminar “Choice in Currency: A Path to Sound Money.” For more information on the Mises’ seminar and to register for both events please contact the Mises Institute. Pre-registration is mandatory. Registration is $75 (US) and includes both morning and afternoon seminars, lunch, and cocktail reception.
Phone: 800-636-4737 or 334-321-2100 - Online: www.mises.org/events/106 - E-mail: pat@mises.org

About the SPEAKERS:

Walter Block: Austrian school economist and libertarian/anarcho-capitalist philosopher, Professor of Economics at Loyola University New Orleans, and Senior Fellow with the Mises Institute.

Bob Hoye: chief financial strategist of Institutional Advisors, providing independent financial forecasting since 1980, and author of the weekly overview PIVOTAL EVENTS.

Morgan Poliquin: professional geological engineer and President of Almaden Minerals Ltd., a publicly traded (AMEX: AAU, TSX: AMM) mineral exploration firm exploring for base and precious metals in North America.