What currency would be a good bet to hold its value if the dollar
weakens, and even worse, if the USA ceases to remain a world economic
power?  I am considering Euros...

I am not looking for a big list of currencies, but your answer should
include reasons that the currency/currencies you have selected would
remain strong if the balance of world power shifts away from the USA.

I would also consider hearing about other things that I could convert
my cash into that could be sold if dollars stopped being useful.  I am
not interested in hearing about gold, but whatever else you suggest
would need to be easily transportable and protected/hidden.

I'm also not looking for anything like stocks or other investments
that only have their value on paper.

Thanks!

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Request for Question Clarification by eiffel-ga on 04 Jul 2006 10:24 PDT

Hi coolhandduke-ga,

Currency futures contracts are a way to protect yourself against a
weakening dollar. Would you like details about those as an answer to
your question?

Also, if you have ruled out anything that only has its value on paper,
that also rules out most modern currencies.

Regards,
eiffel-ga

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Clarification of Question by coolhandduke-ga on 05 Jul 2006 18:55 PDT

Futures contracts do not really interest me, but thanks for asking.

I suppose by "paper", I haven't explained myself well.  I know that
currencies are "paper".  I guess I don't know how to describe what I
mean.

Foreign currencies interest me because, in my mind anyway, they keep
their value if only the Dollar crashes.  If I kept money in a Swiss
account that was in Euros (or whatever else you suggest), it would
effectively double in value if the dollar halved in value.  I could
then withdraw some money in dollars to pay for things here in the
states.

The reason stocks and bonds, REITs, etc don't interest me is because
they are usually in dollars, which I am trying to get away from.

Thanks for your advice!

I suggest that the Swiss Franc is a good bet.

Certainly not the Euro.

Of course, never put all your eggs in one basket.

How about international, hedged, REIT funds bought in Sterling? Non
correlated with markets and not invested in dollars.

Large diamonds if you are travelling/smuggleing

Buy gold, silver, or somthing of that sort, precious metals are a pretty safe bet.

Hasn't the American dollar already crashed? Compared to the Canadian
dollar, it has lost a lot of strength in the past years.