Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2013 February 25

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February 25

RFID blocking: useful or just for the paranoid

Are those RFID blocking wallets just for the paranoid or is any form of "electronic pickpockets" already going on? OsmanRF34 (talk) 02:29, 25 February 2013 (UTC)

well, it's apparently possible, but not yet observed in the wild. [1] (note also such items as the Exxon/Mobil speedpass, which are not subject to such safety factors discussed in the snopes article, e.g. passwords and user names and security codes, and could be presumably cloned from captured signals.) Gzuckier (talk) 07:01, 25 February 2013 (UTC)

buying silver dollars direct from federal govt. to avoid buying from u.s. mint a for profit corporation

i want to buy silver dollars instead of "for profit" corporations---how do i do that? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.111.78.230 (talk) 21:46, 25 February 2013 (UTC)

I seem to recall that the US Post Office regularly gives silver dollars as (unwanted format) change. You might be able to ask them if they have a new batch in, and they could give them to you straight out of the package from the mint. To avoid fingerprints, you might want to wear gloves and bring a disposable pair for them, too. Banks will also sometimes have new coins, so you could ask there, too. StuRat (talk) 21:50, 25 February 2013 (UTC)

The OP may not mean the current base-metal dollars (which you can get on request at most banks, they will be happy to oblige), but the old-style 90% silver dollars which were struck until 1935. Consult one of the large coin dealers. If you need further information on how to do the old-style dollar purchases, you may wish to contact the American Numismatic Association. I am a member, and they are a very reputable organization which patiently deals with calls (and visits) from members of the public.--Wehwalt (talk) 22:17, 25 February 2013 (UTC)

(edit conflict) For the OP: Do you mean actual dollars made of silver, or do you mean U.S. dollar coins? The last actual U.S. dollar coin made of silver was the Peace dollar, last struck in limited run in 1965; last struck for widespread use in the 1930s. The last struck "silver-colored" dollar coin was the Susan B. Anthony dollar which was only struck for 4 years: 1978, 1979, 1980, and 1999. Since 2000, all circulating dollar coins have been "golden" colored alloy (with no actual gold), being the Sacagawea dollar and Presidential dollars, which have overlapping mintings. The U.S. does mint commemorative American Silver Eagle bullion coin; it has a nominal face value of $1.00 but contains 1 troy ounce of silver, which is trading at about $35.00 per troy ounce: You cannot get such coins from anyone for $1.00. Also, the United States Mint is NOT a for-profit company: it is an agency of the U.S. Government, under the Treasurer of the United States. There are other companies which create silver-colored coinage in the U.S., with names like "American Mint", or "Mint of the United States" or similar official sounding names: these are usually "fly-by-night" companies producing silver-clad trinkets designed to confuse you with their advertising. THOSE are for-profit companies and not part of the U.S. government. If you want stuff from the U.S. government itself, http://www.usmint.gov/ is their website. --Jayron32 22:28, 25 February 2013 (UTC)

For clarification, the 1964-D Peace dollar (struck in 1965) was never issued and is believed to have been all melted. We have a picture of a replica in our article.--Wehwalt (talk) 22:37, 25 February 2013 (UTC)

Depends on how much money the OP has at his disposal. If he has a (good) financial consultant then buying Krugerrands off-shore might a better deal but the gold price appearer to be peaking. Copper ore reserves have been bought out by the Chinese and oil reserves are grossly over estimated. There is (it appears) a 400 year cycle between east and west. If you're in the US then move your money aboard and get out fast. Ebenezer Scrooge may have loved counting out his coinage but the world today is different. The money markets do what ever they can to parasitically drain yesterdays sound investments. Coins (and money sitting in bank accounts) are bad. After the second world war Japanese shares under when a growth of several hundred and sometime a 1000% growth. Now, india is a the same level and investment there is showing amazing returns. Not in coinage but paper investments. Go to a students book seller and buy (they are expensive do to the low print volume) the latest book on international commerce etc., but you don't get naught for nothing, because that's what ordinary people want and by that time, everybody else know as well and the market is saturated.. Don't listen to good ol' uncle Joe – he is living in the past. Buying silver dollars at this stage means your just another joe that's been taken in by yesterday's hype.--Aspro (talk) 00:24, 26 February 2013 (UTC)

P.S. Now we have digital photography (no need of silver nitrate) ; other that jewellery (and since governments no longer mint real silver coins for common circulation) what use is there in hoarding silver. Read about Nelson Bunker Hunt – thats a generation ago. Things go around in three generations. So.... How are these old stocks of silver going to be deposed of in 2013? They need honest Joe's that want to by into the dream that has long since past -that's how. So the investment rags spout the wonders of investing in sliver – (or their journalists will find they don't have jobs no more if they suggest anything else). However, If you are really looking for a sure-fired way to make a really good investment, then send all your money to me. I guaranty you in-black-and-white at least a 1000% return on your privileged investment that I don't just offer to anybody. "WARNING: Your investment may go up as well as down!". But I will give you all that in writing – even if its in too small print for you to bother to read nor understand the legal clauses. Trust me - I'm your friend am I not? My every desire is to make you rich because I think you are a really nice guy. So, all send your money to me, then I'll let you into the secret of how you can second mortgage your house to gain extra financial leverage. Gosh, can't wait to meet you in the Florida Keys to see what type of Yacht your have bought with the profits of our soon to be profitable partnership. Remember my motto: He who dares wins. Send me all your money - Now!--Aspro (talk) 01:25, 26 February 2013 (UTC)

what, we're providing investment advice on the ref desk now? :$ --_nonsense ferret 11:49, 26 February 2013 (UTC)

The U.S. Mint is not a for-profit corporation but an agency of the U.S. federal government. They sell dollar-denominated bullion silver coins at their website. If you don't want to deal with the U.S. Mint, many other countries mint and sell silver coins including Australia and Canada in their own dollar denominations. You can also try a local coin or collectibles dealer. Online auction sites like EBay have a wide variety of silver coins for sale. D Monack (talk) 01:27, 28 February 2013 (UTC)

As I noted above, the OP may have been confused by the dozens of "fly-by-night" companies with similar sounding names which release worthless silver and gold clad trinkets at high markup. Many have names very similar to "United States Mint" and have deceptive advertising that can confuse people. The OP likely (and wisely) doesn't want to be scammed by them. I've linked the website to the actual government website for the actual U.S. Mint. --Jayron32 06:51, 28 February 2013 (UTC)