Making Up Crime

Von Nothaus' problem seems to be rhetorical: If instead of dollars he would have denominated his medallions in Credits, Drawing Rights, Denarii, Grams or Toads, he might have had less problem with the Feds. Ditto with the receipts: instead of "Notes," consider if they had remained strictly "Receipts." What may have sunk him was the attempt to pack an overt political statement along with his very powerful economic statement, which would have been suficient in itself.

Of course, the ultimate problem with alternate currencies, particularly gold and sliver, is that since the 30's, contracts made in gold and sliver are considered against public policy and thus effectively not enforceable in American courts. Until this is changed,...