Virginia's new 'currency' debuts at the Capitol

By Anita Kumar
Posted at 3:10 PM ET, 02/21/2011

Del. Bob Marshall's proposal for the state to begin minting its own gold and silver coins as an alternative currency to the U.S. dollar didn't quite make it through the legislature this session. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virgin ... a_min.html

But in honor of the Prince William Republican, coins with Marshall's likeness with the words In Bob We Trust and Bob Bucks have been distributed around Capitol Square. They're called "Ginnies." Get it? For Virginia. http://www.vapress.org/

The coins first debuted at the annual Virginia Capitol Correspondents Association dinner two weeks ago, but have cropping up ever since at the state Capitol and the General Assembly Building.

Marshall, one of the most conservative and controversial legislators, downplayed talk that his bill could be construed as well, a bit wacky. He said he wanted to inject competition into the national economy and force the federal government to change monetary policy he believes is leading to hyperinflation. His critique mirrors that of the tea party movement, some of whose members have called for the end of the Federal Reserve system.

The bill quickly died, but another bill, HB2236, authorizing the state treasurer to mint gold and silver commemorative coins featuring the state seal, Virginia memorabilia and historic figures is on its way to the governor. http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504 ... sum+HB2236

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virgin ... t_720.html