Arkansas Makes Gold, Silver Legal Tender; 23 States Involved in Similar Legislation to Establish US Dollar Alternatives
A bill signed into law on April 11 has made gold and silver legal tender in the U.S. state of Arkansas, allowing citizens to use gold and silver coins to pay debts. The bill also clarifies that gold and silver “specie” (coins) will not be considered property for tax purposes, and transactions made with these precious metals will not result in tax duties. Arkansas Embraces Gold and Silver as Legal Tender The state of Arkansas has moved to make gold and silver function as legal tender in its territories. The “Arkansas Legal Tender Act,” signed by Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders on April 11, explicitly mentions that gold and silver “specie” (meaning any kind of bullion or coin containing these materials) can be used to pay for debts. The act also specifies that “specie or legal tender shall not be characterized as personal property for taxation or regulatory purposes,” and that “the purchase, sale, or exchange of any type or form of specie shall not give rise to any tax liab...