Numismatic-Related Essay Ideas

Lots have been written here in the CCF on the retaining of the penny or not.
If you look at the relevent threads, you should have most of your research material. Better than Wikapedia, which at least a few kids will be tempted to consult.
It should also be relatively to develop a persuasive argument for an essay.

So is this unit about numismatics? Just asking because it seems like you are about to write an off-topic essay that will get a failing grade.

The Coinage Act of 1873 played a role in the Panic, but Germany played an equal role in that sense by ceasing the production of silver Thalers and the Panic began in Europe, not the US. I don't think the topic lends to a "persuasive" essay, as there is no point in contention.

There is a strong persuasive argument for eliminating cash altogether. Might make a good essay.

That would be good.

how about why we should go back to the gold standard?

unless you believe deflation is worse than printing debt.

part of deflation would be the gold becoming more valuable over time as in worth more assets. when countries were on the gold standard the fiat currency was backed by its value in gold, regardless of what the golds value was. if there has been an estimated 4.5bil gold ounces mined and 50billion ounces of silver and no telling how much copper; the worlds population is 7 billion why is this not enough metals for exchange? the average citizen of a first world country cant afford an ounce of gold now so its not like there wouldnt be enough for the world to use.

but yes to answer your statement at current value all the gold and silver in the world doesn't equal but a quarter of the US's gdp.
at the current value of gold and silver. which is low because its not being used as currency.

i understand why we were taken off the standard but do you really believe debt system is better? theres a reason all countries have gold holdings http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_reserve . going by usa's holding at the current ~40$ a gram rate, it would take gold being worth ~2000$ a gram for the us holdings to be equal to the GDP value. so other than making a few people stupid rich what would be the downside to gold being used again?

i hear in germany they used to push wheelbarrows full of cash down to buy a loaf of bread. dont think america or any other's countries economy is to big to fall. especially when its not very clear of whats propping it up to begin with.

im not an economist and dont claim to understand it all, but who can argue that history repeats itself? just watch http://www.usdebtclock.org/ for 2 minutes and tell yourself our current systems all right

As for not having enough gold to back the system, gold is very divisible and price does solve everything.


As for a coin themed persuasion paper, do one on what coins to collect from circulation now for profit later. Be persuasive. Sell it like you are on late night infomercials peddling pre 1982 cents.

You are investing one cent (and time. . . .) and you are guaranteed to never have that cent decline in value. It may go up based on the metal content though.

Today those cents are already worth 1.7 cents melt value. Where else can you start out with a 70% gain and an absolute guarantee that you will never lose one cent (unless of course you misplace one. . . .). Sell it hard. Stocks may go down and don't often go up 70% the moment you buy them. Is it insane to own stocks versus hoard pre 1982 pennies? If not insane, it does imply that the holder of stocks thinks there is less than zero risk and more than enough upside to pass on the 70% gain on day one.

Gloss over any concerns about the value of your time, the time value of your money, the opportunity cost of locking your money up in a copper stash in a form less usable than wire, the physical size of the stack, etc. Those are things you need to defend against in order to sell your product. It is your customer's job to decide not to buy, it is your job to persuade them otherwise.

Don't be fair, persuade them to buy your product.

Look up why coin collecting started in the first place. Gresham's Law is the answer. Basically bad or debased money drives good money out of circulation. Now that you know that debasing money caused coin collecting, learn why governments debase money in the first place. Do it before you borrow one red cent for some absolutely worthless degree.


If you want to get a better grade, do one on why teachers are underpaid.