On Sat, 06 Dec 2003 08:08:21 -0500, Harry Krause
wrote:

...seem to be becoming the "lingua franca" of currency for purchases in
Europe? US dollars used to speak mightily, but more and more I'm coming
across vendors abroad who have dropped their references to dollars and
want payment in Euros. This isn't inconvenient when paying with
plastique, but there sure seems to be a downward shift in the intrinsic
value and usefulness of the dollar. And, not necessarily connected, I've
noticed increasing interest in gold as a hedge. I haven't followed the
precious metals markets for 25 years, but I have seen more references to
gold recently than I have in a long, long time. Now where is that roll
of kruggerands?

part of it might be that, right now, the euro is trading at an all
time high against the dollar. good for our exports but bad for balance
of trade payments.

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