An incredible story of bravery, resilience and war tactics surround one of the most interesting notes we have ever laid our eyes on: the South African 1900 1/- Shilling note from the Boer War. It is not complicated printing techniques, stunning vignettes, glitzy holograms or hi-tech plastics that draw my attention, it is the story

 The siege of Mafeking (1899-1900) in South Africa during the British occupation was a 217 day battle between the Boers and British troops over a vital link in the supply chain for incoming British troops. In the end the massively outnumbered British (nearly 8:1) were victorious earning them a decisive victory using a combination of cunning, deception and bravery.

 The British troops being outnumbered and undersupplied faked barbed wire, masked their insufficient numbers by using make-shift search lights made from tin cans and even set up dummy landmines around the 6 mile perimeter of the city. They repelled numerous Boer advances using century-old cannons and a cadet corps of boys ages 12-15.

 Colonel Baden-Powell is best known as the man who founded the Boy Scout Movement in 1908 but, in military terms, it was his earlier defense of the small town of Mafeking for 217 days from October 1899 to May 1900 that reveals his ingenuity in times of duress. The Boers laid siege to Mafeking on 12th October 1899 - the day after hostilities with the British broke out.

 But as we know, you still need money during a siege as basic commerce cannot stop. Citizens still need essentials, and being cutoff for almost a year would definitely mean rationing. So, British commander Robert-Baden Powell decided to issue 1, 2, 3 & 10/- Shilling as well as £1 notes.

 During the siege and constant pounding from Boer guns, these notes were printed in an underground bunker on standard writing paper using a woodcut plate and a smash from a croquet mallet to press them. Unbelievably, these notes were backed by the British Army, whose paymaster was depositing checks into the Mafeking branch of the Standard Bank of South Africa as they were being released into circulation. The bank manager cosigned each note issued by the British. Just over £5,000 total were printed and not many survived. Of those that survived, most were never redeemed - being kept as souvenirs - leaving a hefty bank account and raising questions regarding faulty accounting.

 When holding one of these notes you are also touching something that someone over a century ago had held during one of the most famous and decisive battles of the British occupation of Africa. Not only would one of these notes make for an incredible conversation piece to add to your collection, but they are a historical artifact. These small pieces of paper played an enormous role in shaping history and are a reminder of bravery, sacrifice and honor.

http://www.treasuredstocks.com/currency.html

If you have any questions call Jeff @ 208-236-9700

 In the 1960's it was still possible to receive Silver dollars at face value from the bank. During this time, the price of silver began to increase and as the public became aware, they requested coins at face value. The demand was so high, banks didn't have enough coins to meet the public's requests. In August 1964, Congress approved production of 45 million Silver dollars to prevent coin shortages throughout the country. President Lyndon Johnson approved the order despite heavy opposition, but after several months, no 1964-D Peace dollars were struck.

  Finally on May 12, 1965, the Mint struck its first 1964-D Peace dollars; however, these were only struck as a trial pieces. Johnson immediately issued a Presidential Order instructing the Denver Mint to produce circulation strike 1964-D Peace dollars. The Denver Mint had no choice but to begin striking the 1964-D Peace dollars. The coins were struck on 90% silver planchets, had an identical design to the Peace dollars struck from 1921-1935 (with the exception of the date) and had a D mintmark on the reverse. The Mint struck a total of 316,076 circulation strike 1964-D Peace dollars (not including 30 test strike pieces).

 The Congressional leaders who were against production of the 1964-D dollars convinced the White House to have the coins destroyed. On May 24, 1965 the White House rescinded the President's instructions to produce the coins and ordered all 1964-D Peace dollars to be destroyed. Eva Adams, Director of the U.S. Mint at the time, oversaw both the production and destruction of the 1964-D Peace dollars.

 Due to the large volume of coins struck, the Mint decided to weigh the coins during the retrieval process as opposed to counting each coin individually. The weight of the 1964-D Peace dollars included the scrap and webbing from which the coins were struck to try to obtain an accurate weigh in. There were several U.S. Mint personnel who witnessed the melting of these coins to ensure that all had been destroyed.

 As time went by, there were rumors that some 1964-D Peace dollars had escaped the U.S. Mint. Eva Adams was under a lot of scrutiny and when asked whether any of these coins existed, her response was that they were all melted. However, years later according to Mint records, two test strikes resurfaced. The two coins that surfaced were apparently from the 30 test pieces that were sent to Washington for inspection. Those two coins remained in the Treasury Vault until 1970 but were immediately destroyed by the U.S. Mint as soon as they were discovered.

  What's suspicious is that over the years several 1964 Special Mint set coins surfaced. There are no Mint records of any 1964 Special Mint Sets being produced; however, we know these coins do exist. According to a prominent coin dealer, the 1964 Special Mint Set coins surfaced from Eva Adams' personal estate collection when they were consigned to a Stack's auction. Over the years, there have been rumors that another prominent coin dealer was offered a few 1964-D Peace dollars. Around the same time, the Mint came out with a statement indicating that if any of these dollars exist, they were illegal to own. The dealer mentioned he never heard back from the seller, but believed he did indeed own a few.

 Others have mentioned that in 1965 Mint employees were given the opportunity to exchange the 1964-D Peace dollars at face value when they were originally struck. However, the Mint requested that employees bring them back once they were ordered to be destroyed. If this was the case, some coins could have escaped the Mint through this channel. Another possible way is that coins could have been removed during the weighing process upon destruction; a Mint employee could have replaced the coins with any other pre-1964 Peace Morgan dollars since they had the exact same weight. Of course, this is just speculation. And to make matters more confusing, someone recently came out with Fantasy 1964-D Peace dollars by striking them using their own coin press and making them resemble a genuine Mint product.

 http://www.treasuredstocks.com/coins.html

If you have any questions call Jeff @ 208-236-9700

This photo was taken last week, from our back deck!

We here at Treasuredstocks.com want you to know that Pocatello, Idaho has a GREAT  story to share with the country and world. We have been here, living and working in Pocatello, for almost a decade.

 It is THE BEST place to live, work, and grow a business. But don’t just take our word for it – look who else thinks so!!

Second in the Nation: Pocatello, Idaho ranked 2nd (2010) in the Outdoor Life Magazine’s top 200 best places to live. Evaluators used social and economic categories such as scores in population growth, household income, home values, cost of living, employment rates, population, and commute times to calculate 40% of the total city score. The remaining considerations (60%) were based on Pocatello’s nearby hunting and fishing opportunities, proximity to public land and waters, gun-friendliness, and trophy fish/animal potential.

6th in the Nation: Forbes Magazine’s list of best (most cost effective) places to live--2011. “Forbes takes a look at 10 cities that are guaranteed to give you the most bang for your buck. Plus, they boast excellent schools and low crime rates.” Forbes has placed Pocatello, Idaho on this elite list for five years! 
 
4th Best of the micro (Micro: <100,000) cities in [FDI Strategy]: fDi Magazine www.fDintelligence.com is a UK-based publication that covers foreign direct investment, June 2011. Ranking Criteria included Pocatello’s economic potential, human resources costs, business friendliness, cost  effectiveness, quality of life, and city infrastructure.

 #6 Best of the micro (Micro: < 100,000) cities in [Cities of the future]: fDi Magazine 2011-2012 -- leading all other similarly sized cities in the pacific northwest

 #9 Best of the micro (Micro: < 100,000) cities in [Business Friendliness]: fDi Magazine 2011-2012

 Top 10 Best/Great Cities (recommendations) for Families: Kiplinger.  http://www.kiplinger.com/features/archives/10-great-cities-for-raising-families.html August 2010.

 “Housing and utilities are unusually cheap here -- Idaho's cost of living is very low compared to the state average nationally…safe neighborhoods, solid public schools and robust employment growth, especially in nuclear research... Kids will enjoy the Pocatello Zoo, Idaho Museum of Natural History, and the Ross Park Aquatic Complex, as well as plenty of outdoor activities in the nearby Rocky Mountains. Salt Lake City and Yellowstone National Park are a day trip away by car.” Pocatello Idaho is an “Affordable small-city lifestyle, low overall crime rates, solid employment and wage growth, quality public schools, moderate four-season climate.”

#22 Best Small Places for Business and Careers: Forbes Magazine, March 2008

In the 29 February 2008 edition of Trade & Industry Development, the cover story by Jennifer Alten reads:  Pocatello, Idaho: Brains, Beauty, and Brawn. Here are the article’s lead sentences: “It’s not hard to understand why Pocatello, Idaho is a growing hotspot for business development. It boasts a highly educated workforce, low cost of living, highly dedicated community and government support – and as icing on the cake, close proximity to recreation… you could leave work at 5 today and be on the ski slopes (or golf course/trout stream) by 6 o’clock!” http://www.tradeandindustrydev.com/region/idaho/pocatello-idaho-brains-beauty-and-brawn-4018
 
Pocatello’s Cost of Living is 12% below the national average!

 But where (and what) is Pocatello (Bannock County) Idaho? 
 
Pocatello is positioned in the southeastern part of the state. Geographically, Pocatello is located along the Portneuf River as it flows from the mountains onto the Snake River Plain. It is known as the “Gate City” because of its geographic location as the GATE into and through Idaho, the Oregon Trail, and onward through to the Pacific Coast.
 
In 2010, the population of Bannock County was 82,839 which represents 9.6% growth in just ten years. Bannock County has 1,112 square miles with about 74 people per square mile.
Idaho is a mountainous state located in the Rocky Mountain area of the US. Idaho is called the gem state because of the famous gem stones found here. For example, there are just two known locations for the Star Garnet – one is in the Himalayans and the other is in Idaho.
 
It is indeed true that one of the greatest things about living and working in Southeastern Idaho (Bannock County) is the people. Bannock County Idaho has some of the friendliest people on earth – willing to help their neighbors, giving generously, and freely showing community pride.
I have never experienced such a place – ever!

 So come by for a visit, vacation, or a life-time of fun and fortune. We here at Treasuredstocks.com would love to see you!

  For Southeast Idaho Information, Click Here

MLS#: 541703

Getting a home loan

 By Linda S. Smith

Ask any banker, mortgage lender, real estate professional or even the guy on the street and you’ll be told that interest rates on home loans (aka ‘the mortgage’ or ‘the note’) are fabulously low. Now is, indeed, the BEST time to purchase a home! Consider, however, that it all comes down to this: To whom you speak, of what you speak, and how, and when, and where.

Not only are home prices the lowest in years, so are mortgage interest rates. Now is the absolute perfect time to buy a home. Reflect for a minute --- If you need to borrow $300,000 and instead of 6%, your interest rate is 4%; the difference in what you will actually end up paying over the 15 year (or 30 year) mortgage is HUGE!

There are conventional loans, and US Government supported loans such as FHA and VA loans (US Government doesn’t pay the loan but it does help guarantee part of the loan so the lender feels better about loaning you the funds).  Not all lenders are created equal so be your own best advocate with a “buyer beware” perspective.

 Of what you speak: This refers to all of your financial assets and liabilities, including your credit score and credit report. Before even considering a home mortgage, do all you can to improve your credit score and clear up any problems. A good credit score will help not only secure the loan you need but improve interest rates you’ll be charged. How much of a down payment are you able to make? What is your current debt load? What interest rates are you paying on this debt? How much of this debt is secured debt? Know these numbers and answers prior to speaking with your loan representatives.

 To whom you speak: Learn all you possibly can about the entire mortgage process. If you are a member of a locally owned community bank or credit union, make an appointment with their chief home loan officer. Consider staying below what your maximum loan would be, even if they can pre-approve you for a greater total loan package. The key here is to shop around, be an informed consumer, know ahead of time what you can actually afford to pay back, and get yourself the best deal.

 And how and when and where: When speaking with loan officers, put your best foot forward (so to speak) by being clear, objective, succinct, considered, and very well organized. Anticipate their questions as well as any possible concerns and be ready with documents and answers, to the best of your ability. It is best to set up an appointment for a mutually convenient time and date. And again, your local community bank or credit union, the people who already know and respect you as an investment, is a great place to begin this mortgage journey.

 Here is a great government sponsored web site that I just found:

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/buying_a_home

Happy Home buying!

  
 For more information about Idaho and the Bannock County area, please visit:

 For Southeast Idaho Information, Click Here

MLS#: 541703