Rebel of the Week: Bernard von NotHaus requests your help

Bernard von NotHaus is the monetary architect of The Liberty Dollar which was a privately minted silver medallion that was at one time the most popular barter currency among precious metal enthusiasts. In 2007, after 10 years of legitimate business, the headquarters and mint of the Liberty Dollar was raided by the FBI. Heroically Von NotHaus fought the charges to defend the right of free people to exchange goods and services in the medium of their choice. He was ultimately convicted on multiple counterfeiting related charges (interestingly nothing related to fraud), and conspiracy against the United States. This week he is facing sentencing of up to 22 years, which at his age is a life sentence. Now he is requesting your help to defend honest currency.

The FBI seized EVERYTHING in the raid. The Computers, the records, the money and over 16,000 pounds of precious metal (an estimated $7 million value in 2007). The precious metals they seized was the property of hundreds of thousands of Liberty Associates… myself included. I have in my possession silver certificates bearing serial numbers corresponding to a measure of silver now in their custody.

In the landmark case against The Liberty Dollar the prosecution argued that silver medallions marked with the Statue of Liberty and other iconography common to U.S. coins could be confused for legal tender. Although they don’t look like any U.S. coin, primarily because they aren’t made of zinc and tin foil. They also have a website and 800 number on every medallion, not to mention that the lot that was seized in the raid bore the likeness of Congressman Ron Paul, another strong advocate of honest currency. Last I checked no U.S. coin had Ron Paul’s face on it.

All Liberty Dollar marketing collateral explicitly stated that they are not government currency. At their inception Von NotHaus said, “We’re going to be to the Federal Reserve System what Federal Express was to the Post Office.” The prosecution even admitted in trial that the silver medallions were of full weight and purity, and sold as advertised, which is why no fraud charges were made. Counterfeiting without fraud is nonsense. He was taken down for competition.

After an eight day trial, and less than two hours of jury deliberation, Von NotHaus was convicted on all charges. In a press release U.S. Attorney Anne Tompkins stated, “Attempts to undermine the legitimate currency of this country are simply a unique form of domestic terrorism.” (Guilty.) This of course presumes that the Federal Reserve Note is a legitimate currency when in reality it’s in violation of its constitutional mandate, which promises, “No State shall… make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts.” (Article I, Section 10)

Can you imagine?

Von NotHaus did not force anyone to accept his product. He did not lie about what he was selling. All he did was recognize a demand in the market for a currency that did not exploit people who can’t even see their wealth being stolen. If private individuals bartering with measures of silver is a danger to the economic stability of this country that should tell you just how bankrupt the dollar is. Von NotHaus faces what is essentially the destruction of his life’s work because the Federal Government is terrified that you will wake up to this scam.

If we are not free to voluntarily exchange good and services for gold and silver than indeed U.S. currency is backed by bullets.

You can help Von NotHaus by writing to Judge Voorhees, who is considering sentencing this week, and letting him know that you support the Liberty Dollar, and honest currency more broadly. You can ask the judge to dismiss the case, or wave the sentence against him. Von NotHaus says he is optimistic because there are more supporters of the Liberty Dollar today then there were before the raid, and he expects the sheer number of letters to influence the judge.

Please send your respectful letter to:
Richard L. Voorhees
U.S. District Judge
U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
250 Charles R. Jonas Federal Bldg.
401 West Trade Street
Charlotte NC 28202
And add: PLEASE FREE BVNH to the bottom left hand corner of your envelope.

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Or listen to his interview on Free Talk Live at: http://freetalklive.com/files/vonnothaus05.mp3

And don’t forget to visit our official website to learn more about the Silver Circle Movie: http://SilverCircleMovie.com