Gold’s Comeback and the Sound Money Revolution with Judy Shelton

Written by Frank Balm

Gold’s no longer just a relic of the past; it’s back, and it’s got everyone’s attention. Gold hit historic highs this year, topping $2,500 an ounce as investors fled the chaos of rising debt, economic instability, and political turmoil. In 2023 alone, central banks worldwide bought over 1,000 tons of gold. When even governments are stocking up, it’s time to pay attention. Gold’s rise is a sign that things aren’t right in the financial world—and Judy Shelton, one of America’s staunchest advocates for sound money, has an idea on how to fix it.

Shelton, a well-known economist and former Trump advisor, believes in a world where people can convert dollars to gold and have true control over their money. Her new book, Good as Gold, spells out how a gold-backed financial system could become reality. With her idea of Treasury Trust Bonds—U.S. Treasury bonds that could be redeemed either in dollars or in a fixed amount of gold—Shelton thinks the time is ripe for a gold-backed dollar. It’s a bold plan that could just be what we need to bring back stability, security, and control for the everyday American.

Central Banks are Hoarding Gold—Should You Be Too?

Right now, we’re seeing central banks go on a gold-buying spree the likes of which we haven’t seen in decades. Between 2022 and 2023, they bought a historic amount of the precious metal, and many are planning to increase their reserves even further this year. A major reason for this gold rush? The declining confidence in the U.S. dollar and concerns about America's skyrocketing debt.

Central banks aren’t usually driven by sentiment—they’re acting on facts and trends. If they’re snapping up gold, it’s likely because they see trouble ahead for fiat currencies. Shelton’s message is simple: the world is ready for a gold-backed dollar, and this idea is gaining traction not only among sound money advocates but also in broader economic circles.

Treasury Trust Bonds: Shelton’s Plan to Bring Gold Back to America

Shelton’s proposal is a game-changer. Her Treasury Trust Bonds would be a unique type of U.S. Treasury bond that can be redeemed either in dollars or in a pre-set amount of gold. Think of it as a “trust-but-verify” system: If the dollar weakens, you cash in the bond for gold. If the dollar holds steady, you keep your dollars. This creates accountability and gives the government a real incentive to keep the dollar strong.

Imagine the impact: a stable dollar backed by gold, where Americans can finally trust their money isn’t being eaten away by inflation. Treasury Trust Bonds would essentially function as a safeguard against reckless monetary policy, ensuring that the Federal Reserve can’t inflate the dollar’s value away without consequence. If the bonds are redeemed in gold, the government loses a bit of its gold reserves, enforcing real discipline. If Shelton’s plan gains traction, it could be a serious step towards fixing our broken system.

The Need for Real Reform—and Why It’s Urgent

When Shelton talks about the risks of central banking, she isn’t mincing words. Drawing on insights from the Austrian School of Economics, she argues that our current system leaves too much control in the hands of government officials. Bretton Woods—the pseudo-gold standard in place from 1945 to 1971—failed because it didn’t give people the right to exchange their dollars for gold directly. It was central planning in disguise, and when it collapsed, Americans lost a fundamental freedom: the ability to control their own money.

Shelton’s plan wouldn’t just put us on the path toward sound money; it would also rein in the Federal Reserve. By limiting the Fed’s power to inflate the dollar unchecked, Shelton’s idea stands as a major check on government overreach. She’s aiming to end the Fed’s stranglehold on our money by giving Americans the option to hold assets that won’t lose their value over time. Good as Gold lays out why central planning doesn’t work—whether it’s the Fed or Soviet-style economics—and shows that free-market principles, empowered by gold-backed money, are what’s needed to restore financial freedom.

Gold, Dollars, and the Future of Monetary Freedom

Shelton believes that a truly sound dollar would let people convert their dollars to gold at will—a bold notion that has often been dismissed as “fringe.” But with debt at all-time highs and the dollar on shaky ground, her ideas are sounding less extreme and more like common sense. Her Treasury Trust Bond plan is the first step toward a new gold standard, something she hopes will mark America’s return to sound money by 2026, just in time for the 300th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

For Shelton, this isn’t just about economics; it’s about freedom. The American people deserve a monetary system that respects their right to a currency that holds value. Shelton’s vision is of a world where your savings aren’t at the mercy of the Federal Reserve’s policies and where your dollars are “as good as gold.”

This plan could put the power back in the hands of everyday Americans. With Treasury Trust Bonds in place, you’d have the freedom to choose: either trust the government’s fiscal responsibility or take your savings in gold, protecting yourself from inflation and monetary mismanagement.

Call to Action:
If you’re tired of seeing your savings lose value, Judy Shelton’s plan could be the answer. Her Treasury Trust Bonds could mark the start of a real, gold-backed financial system. Don’t leave your future to chance—get Bill Brocius' eBook, Seven Steps to Protect Yourself from Bank Failure, and explore Dedollarize’s latest insights on sound money here to understand how to protect your wealth today.