The E-Sylum:  Volume 9, Number 15, April 9, 2006, Article 10

PRIVATE MONEY: MARCO ISLAND ADOPTS LIBERTY DOLLAR

The Naples Daily News of Naples, Florida reports that a local
entrepreneur plans to market Liberty Dollars.

"Seeking to liberate his neighbors from a monetary system that
he believes has lost some of its juice, Marco Island accountant
Al Wagner plans to launch an independent Liberty Dollar franchise
next month.

But he's mostly in it for the fun, Wagner said.

The silver-based money is neither endorsed by Marco Island
government, nor Marco Island Chamber of Commerce leaders.
Newly elected Marco Councilman Rob Popoff is an investor in
Wagner's project."

"Wagner won the right to distribute the currency throughout
Collier County. It is a $20 silver minted circle, which he
plans to unveil on April 6 at an event at the Esplanade on
Marco. Wagner said he can't use the word "coin" because that
is legally defined as U.S. government money."

"The Liberty Dollar is a national franchise, initiated in 1999
by self-described monetary architect Bernard von NotHaus, because
American money is no longer backed by the silver and gold that
was once protected at Fort Knox."

"Claudia Dickens, spokeswoman for the U.S. Treasury Bureau of
Engraving and Printing, said no matter how the Liberty Dollar
is presented, it is not legal currency.

"We have heard of Liberty Dollars," she said. "This agency
prints U.S. currency, and it is the only legal currency."

Dickens compared Liberty Dollars with Disney Dollars, used
exclusively at Walt Disney amusement parks. Like poppet beads
at Club Med, Disney Dollars are bought with real money, but
are not real U.S. currency.

"If a merchant wants to accept Liberty Dollars, that is their
right," Dickens said. "As long as the person doesn't claim it
is the legal tender of the land."

Wagner said he regards the comparison with Disney Dollars as
"derogatory."

"Disney Dollars are not real silver," Wagner said."

To read the complete article, see: Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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