Ron Paul Dollars
The Ron Paul Dollar was a privately issued commemorative currency created in 2007 by the Liberty Dollar Organization (LDO), led by Bernard von NotHaus. It was designed to support Congressman Ron Paul's presidential campaign by promoting his message of constitutional government, sound money, and personal liberty.
The coins were available in copper, silver, gold, and platinum - an alternative to fiat currency and aligning with Paul's advocacy for a return to sound money. The Ron Paul Dollar was also intended to attract media attention for the LDO and engage political memorabilia collectors. However, its issuance was independent of Ron Paul’s official campaign to avoid Federal Election Commission restrictions on contributions.
On November 9, 2007, the long-awaited Ron Paul Copper Dollars arrived at the Liberty Dollar headquarters in Evansville, Indiana. The staff immediately began unpacking and preparing orders for shipment, but due to a federal holiday, the first batch didn’t go out until Tuesday, November 13. No one realized at the time that these would be the only Ron Paul coppers to reach the public. The very next morning, on November 14, federal agents from the FBI and Secret Service raided both the Evansville office and the Sunshine Mint in Idaho, executing search and seizure warrants. Nearly everything was confiscated, including all remaining Ron Paul coppers, the dies, and the precious metals stored at the mint - leaving only the office furniture untouched.
The raid caused a sharp rise in Ron Paul Dollar prices as their sudden scarcity made them highly sought after. Prices later dropped after the federal government returned some of the seized pieces and increased their availability.
Ron Paul Dollar Rate Schedule
2008 $20 Ron Paul Silver
2008 $20 Ron Paul Silver HM
2008 $20 Ron Paul Silver SN
2008 $1 Ron Paul Copper
2008 $1 Ron Paul Copper Arrest Dollar
2008 $1 Ron Paul Copper SN
2008 $1 Ron Paul Copper (Paper-Wrapped)
2008 $1 Ron Paul Copper Counterfeit
The Ron Paul counterfeit is a noticeably smaller version of the original Ron Paul Copper Dollar, measuring just 27mm in diameter - similar to a U.S. quarter - compared to the standard 39mm, 1-ounce copper round. Unlike the genuine issue, which features the "Vote for Truth" reverse, the counterfeit bears an entirely different design never used on any official Ron Paul Dollar. Its smaller size and incorrect reverse make it easy to distinguish from authentic Liberty Dollar pieces.
Interestingly, it is the only known counterfeit of a NORFED Liberty Dollar, with many examples stamped with a large "COPY" on the reverse. However, the origins of these counterfeits remain a mystery, as it is unclear who produced them, why they were made, or how many exist.
2008 $1,000 Ron Paul Gold
2008 $2,000 Ron Paul Platinum
2008 Ron Paul Chocolate
2010 $25 Ron Paul Silver (Licensed)
2010 $25 Ron Paul Silver HM (Licensed)
2010 $25 Ron Paul Silver SN (Licensed)
2012 $25 Ron Paul Silver (Licensed)
2012 $25 Ron Paul Silver HM (Licensed)
2012 $25 Ron Paul Silver SN (Licensed)
2010 $25 Ron Paul Split Piedfort (Licensed)
The Ron Paul Split Piedfort is one of the rarest pieces in the NORFED Liberty Dollar series. It was made by minting two half-ounce silver blanks together instead of a single blank, creating an unusually thick piece. Commissioned for general circulation in 2010, production was cut short after one of the partners, Karl Reile of NY, was found dead in what was ruled a suicide - though it was never officially certified.
With only two partners left, they attempted the risky production of split piedforts, but after making just five, the die cracked and production ended. They later moved on to a quarter-ounce Ron Paul, but tragedy struck again when the last remaining partner, Jeff Kotchounian of MI, also allegedly committed suicide under suspicious circumstances. His wife reported that four federal agents visited him at work that day, leading to a heated confrontation before Jeff ran out with the agents following. Hours later, he was found shot in a barn behind his home. Authorities ruled it a suicide, but the agents involved refused to discuss the incident beyond confirming their visit to his business. These events add to the mystery and controversy surrounding NORFED’s history and how random pieces like this could get made.