The Value of a Dollar

In 1788, the Congress of the United States was given power to coin our currency by the U.S. Constitution, specifically Article 1, Section 8:

"Congress shall have power... To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;" ~Article 1, Section 8, U.S. Constitution

"No State shall... make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts;" ~Article 1, Section 10, U.S. Constitution

The Revolutionary War's "Continental Dollar" was the paper currency invented by the states for more war funding, but became notoriously worthless, thus bringing about the above clause to the law of the land.

The Mint Act of 1792 set the value of a dollar at approximately .05 ounces of gold, or at less than an ounce of silver.

The War of Southern Independence saw the first blatant lack of Constitutionality in the U.S.'s currency with Lincoln's greenbacks, which were openly backed in no precious metal at all.

The advent of paper used as de facto currency, and the U.S. Government's legitimization thereof, literally destroyed all hope of maintaining a free and safe currency.

We no longer have legitimate dollars, and have been using Federal Reserve Notes, denominated in supposed dollars, but they are basically worthless, only holding value as long as people accept them.

We haven't had a true dollar in this country since they stopped minting gold and silver coins as legal tender, just fake Federal Reserve Notes.