U.S. Dollar was Hot, Now It’s Not

On Sept. 7, 2022, the US Dollar Index reached a 22-year high when it closed at 114.11. It has generally and gradually gone downhill since then.

Year to date, the U.S. dollar has still appreciated against most world currencies. Yet, over the past four weeks, from Nov. 8, 2022, to Dec. 6, 2022, it has fallen against most currencies – more than most people realize.

* Currencies in bold are components of the US Dollar Index

There may still be opportunities to take advantage of the continuing strength of the U.S. dollar against most other currencies to possibly find numismatic bargains offered by foreign sellers. They just aren’t as attractive today as they were just a few weeks ago.

A Memorial of the Attack on Pearl Harbor

This week marked the 81st anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. I’m far too young to have been there that day, but have toured some of the sites that were attacked. It was my privilege to know my father-in-law’s cousin, who lived in my neighborhood, who was there that day. He was in the Navy serving as a torpedoman on a submarine.

The focus of the Japanese aircraft were the battleships. They ignored the subs. The crew on this man’s submarine were put to work trying to rescue sailors trapped in the sinking Oklahoma. His vivid description of their efforts that saved some but failed to get to many almost made me feel like I was there.

Most numismatists I know appreciate history. When people study coins and currency, that too can evoke feelings of being in the time and place where they were issued.

Patrick A. Heller was honored as a 2019 FUN Numismatic Ambassador. He is also the recipient of the American Numismatic Association 2018 Glenn Smedley Memorial Service Award, 2017 Exemplary Service Award, 2012 Harry Forman National Dealer of the Year Award, and 2008 Presidential Award. Over the years, he has also been honored by the Numismatic Literary Guild (including in 2021 for Best Investment Newsletter), Professional Numismatists Guild, Industry Council for Tangible Assets, and the Michigan State Numismatic Society. He is the communications officer of Liberty Coin Service in Lansing, Michigan and writes Liberty’s Outlook, a monthly newsletter on rare coins and precious metals subjects. Past newsletter issues can be viewed at http://www.libertycoinservice.com. Some of his radio commentaries titled “Things You ‘Know’ That Just Aren’t So, And Important News You Need To Know” can be heard at 8:45 AM Wednesday and Friday mornings on 1320-AM WILS in Lansing (which streams live and becomes part of the audio archives posted at http://www.1320wils.com).