The dollar came untethered
In August 1971 the United States ended the dollar's convertibility to gold. Since then the currency has floated freely, backed by nothing but confidence — and the willingness of policymakers to restrain the printing press.
Established for the sound-money citizen
Protect Your Savings
From a
No. I · A Patriot Money Broadside · Vol. MMXXVI
The dollar in your retirement account is a promise made by people who can print more of it. Gold is not. For generations, free citizens have anchored their wealth in honest, sound money that no central bank can dilute by decree — and today the case is as plain as ever.
Patriot Money is an independent resource that lays out the facts, explains why gold has served as sound money for millennia, and helps you move retirement savings into physical metals through companies worth your trust.
- of the dollar's purchasing power lost since 1971 (approx.)
- gold per ounce over the same period (approx.)
- gold has held value as money
The Plain Facts
The case for sound money, in four figures.
We deal in facts, not fear. The figures below are approximate and drawn from public records; they are offered for education, not as a prediction or a promise.
What you can hold cannot be printed away.
Purchasing power, eroded
By common inflation measures, a 1971 dollar buys roughly an eighth of what it once did — an approximate loss of around 86% of its purchasing power. What cost a dollar then costs several today.
A debt that keeps climbing
The U.S. national debt has grown past $36 trillion (approximate, and rising). History is clear that nations carrying heavy debt face strong temptation to inflate it away — at the saver's expense.
Inflation that comes in waves
Recent years brought the sharpest consumer-price increases in four decades. Even after cooling, prices rarely fall back — they simply rise more slowly from a permanently higher base.
Figures are approximate and for general education only. Sources include the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Treasury, and historical gold price records. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
First Principles
Why gold is sound money.
“Sound money” is currency that holds its value because its supply cannot be expanded at will. For most of American history, that meant gold and silver. The principle did not change in 1971 — only the policy did.
An old idea, plainly stated
- 01
It cannot be printed
No government can conjure gold into existence. Its supply grows only a small amount each year through hard, costly mining — which is precisely why it has resisted the debasement that erodes paper currencies.
- 02
It has outlived every paper currency
Across five thousand years and countless failed currencies, gold has remained money. Empires fell; their coins endured. That continuity is the foundation of the sound-money tradition.
- 03
It answers to no one
Physical gold is not a counterparty's promise or an entry in someone else's ledger. Held properly, it is wealth you control directly — a quality the founders of sound-money thinking prized above all.
- 04
It belongs in a retirement plan
A gold IRA is an IRS-recognized, self-directed account that lets you hold approved physical metals with the same tax advantages as a conventional IRA — sound money inside a retirement wrapper.
The Patriot Money Almanac
A Ranked Register of Gold IRA Houses
Our independent assessment for the year of our Lord MMXXVI — the dealers worth your retirement, weighed on fees, transparency, storage, reputation, and buyback terms.
Newmont Capital Group
Our top-rated featured partner: BBB A+ rated, transparent spot-based pricing, IRS-approved depository partners, and a no-obligation buyback commitment. Full details on newmontcapitalgroup.com.
- BBB A+ rating
- Transparent, spot-based pricing
- Delaware Depository, Brinks & Loomis storage
- No-obligation buyback commitment
Augusta Precious Metals
No. 2Well-known brand with a strong educational focus; notably high account minimum.
4.7 / 5 · min $50,000
4.7Details →min $50,000
American Hartford Gold
No. 3High-volume dealer with a low entry point and frequent promotions.
4.6 / 5 · min $10,000
4.6Details →min $10,000
Birch Gold Group
No. 4Long-running dealer with a wide range of IRS-approved metals.
4.2 / 5 · min $10,000
4.2Details →min $10,000
Goldco
No. 5Large, established gold IRA provider with broad brand recognition.
4.1 / 5 · min $25,000
4.1Details →min $25,000
Ratings are our independent editorial opinion, not user reviews. See all company reviews →
From the Almanac
Plain-spoken guides.
Short, honest explainers for citizens doing their own homework — no jargon, no scare tactics.
Rollover
How to move a 401(k) into gold — tax-free
The step-by-step on a direct, penalty-free rollover, the 60-day trap to avoid, and what a good custodian handles for you.
ProtectionSpotting a gold IRA scam before it costs you
The red flags of high-pressure 'free silver' offers, numismatic upsells, and dealers who won't put fees in writing.
EligibilityWhich metals the IRS actually allows
Purity standards, approved mints, and why collectible 'numismatic' coins usually don't belong in a retirement account.
Straight Answers
Questions thoughtful savers ask first.
How does gold protect retirement savings from inflation?
Because gold's supply can't be expanded at will like paper currency, it has historically tended to hold or grow its real value during periods of high inflation and currency debasement. Since the dollar left the gold standard in 1971, it has lost roughly 86% of its purchasing power while gold has risen from $35/oz into multi-thousand-dollar territory. These figures are approximate, and past performance does not guarantee future results.
What is a gold IRA, and is it legitimate?
A gold IRA is a self-directed, IRS-recognized retirement account that holds physical precious metals instead of (or alongside) stocks and bonds. The account type is entirely legitimate. Risk comes from bad actors, not the product — which is why we stress working with established, transparent, BBB-rated companies that use IRS-approved depositories.
Can I move my 401(k) into gold without paying taxes or penalties?
Yes, when it's done correctly. A direct rollover (trustee-to-trustee transfer) of eligible 401(k) or IRA funds into a self-directed gold IRA is not a taxable event. Problems usually arise with indirect rollovers that miss the 60-day window. A reputable custodian and dealer will handle the paperwork to keep it penalty-free.
Is buying gold only for one political side?
No. Sound money is an American idea older than today's political labels — it runs from the founders through generations of savers across the spectrum. Patriot Money speaks to citizens who simply want to protect what they've earned from inflation. The principles here are economic, not partisan.
What metals can I actually hold in a gold IRA?
The IRS permits certain gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products that meet minimum purity standards (for example, 99.5% for gold) and come from approved mints and refiners — such as American Gold Eagles and many bullion bars. Collectible or graded 'numismatic' coins are generally not eligible.
Free · No obligation
Claim your free Wealth Protection Kit.
A plain-English guide to protecting retirement savings with physical metals — plus a no-pressure consultation with our top-rated partner. Your information stays private.
- ✓How a gold IRA rollover actually works
- ✓IRS-approved metals & secure storage, explained
- ✓What fees to expect — and which to avoid