Thank you for a wonderful article and support of my belief that silver is something that belongs in my possession, whether it be ingots, on my wrist, or on my plate. Silver will not only be a better medium of exchange/barter, should it be needed, but we have yet to hear of a president confiscating our table ware, not that that couldn’t happen. I was shocked to see how far copper is down since Texas has had a great deal of theft in that area.

Mr. Sarsoun: I will look for your book at Barnes & Nobles and Hastings because even the tidbit above is the sort of history that makes the subject alive and fascinating, and sometimes we get great ideas when rooting around in the past. If you would be kind enough to discuss the subject–actually, anything about metals–Gary has my permission to give my e-mail address out. He might even enjoy an article from you on the subject.

One of my rules is that everyone in this world knows or can do something I would find interesting, and if I’m nice to them they will usually tell me! You sound like you know a great many things I would like to know, such as your opinion on numismatics (sheer pain is envisioning a $400 Alexander the Great tossed into a melting pot) and the most efficient way to invest. As W&G readers have the opportunity to know, I invest in ordinary sterling tableware. Its purity is stamped on it, it stores historic, intrinsic, and artistic value, and it is still barely possible to pick it up for less than spot. That isn’t as sexy as being an investment advisor, but it is efficient and easy to obtain. Works for me. If there’s a better way, I’d love to hear it.

Linda Brady Traynham