Some folks say, “The dollar isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on.” (Which is grammatically incorrect. Should be “upon which it is printed”. But that’s beside the point).

Anyhoo, the exact opposite is true. And that, dear folks, is the problem. A dollar is a dollar and paper is paper (essentially worthless). There was a good reason for gold and silver coins. Actual marketable value. Paper is only a promise…and we all know how well that works in a country full of politicians.

Gold and silver are consumable products and can be traded for other products of value. That’s why the process is called “Trade”. Trade is bartering. Tobacco was used as legal tender to barter in the past. It had value. You could smoke it. Try smoking a dollar bill.