Tico

Hello Adam. Is military service mandatory in Iraq? If so, is it true wealthy Iraqi's often buy their way out of this military service? Additionally, if the before mentioned is true and Iraq indeed has an RV what would be the incentive of ANY Iraqi citizen wanting or having to do obligatory time in the military with the new found wealth of an RV? They could all effectively buy their way out and Iraq would have zero military. Can you please expound on this? Thanks.

Glad to know that the site is fully operational.

Hello Adam, as a platinum member I will always recommend others that read your posts to seriously consider the benefits of becoming one. I rarely write folks but I do read Adams posts and sometimes reread them. Now off to my questions. Adam, I know of one Central American country that uses currency made by Thomas de La Rue. Is there any other countries in Latin America (Central or South) that has their currency printed by Thomas de La Rue? My thought process about a Latin American country having their currency printed by Thomas de La Rue is that they will in fact have the machines in place to authenticate or can authenticate Iraqi Dinar. Is that a correct assessment? Thanks Adam for all that you do.Tico

Hello Adam wanted to say that I am proud to be a platinum member for some time. Additionally, I rarely write, I am an active by stander but when it comes to writing it’s rather rare. My question to you is this: it is understood that ISIS/ISIL robbed a bank in Mosul in June of 2014 and have funded themselves with 429 million dollars. Isn't it safe to say that ISIS/ISIL availed themselves to countless billions of Iraqi dinars too? If this is the case, then any sort of RV would benefit that organization as well? Could this possible scenario detract the GOI from RV’ing any time soon? Logically speaking, I can see the reason not to RV so as to not help the enemy. Thoughts?

Hi once again Adam, coin collector here. Krause Publications is the authority for all coin and paper money documentation all over the world. Someone from each country provides Krause the number of coins and paper money issued for their publications. Krause publishes this each and every year. Do you have any staff members that can research with Krause as to exact numbers of coins and paper notes produced for Iraq? I know the topic of how much Iraqi notes etc. is out there. The numbers have been thrown around for years and no number has been exact to say the least. Thanks for all that you do in the site and I must admit I am real happy to be a proud owner of a Platinum VIP card, thanks!!!

Adam, thanks for all that you do in this site and especially in the VIP section. I have an interesting set of questions but will start it off like this. I am a coin collector, along those veins we have books that publish quantities of coins minted. Has anyone been able to dig up research on how many coins and paper money has been printed for Iraq? There has to be a log of this somewhere?

Factoring in that Thomas De La Rue makes currency for many countries, it would be safe to assume those countries would have the machines to authenticate subject currencies. Can we or I simply take Dinar to any of the countries posted at Thomas De La Rue website and consider cashing in that way? Thanks a bunch always for your help and support.

According to US Estimates we have three trillion barrels of oil and that is not including natural gas. Do you believe by delaying the RV Iraq has a much smaller window for profit? Wouldn’t Iraqis concern themselves that the USD will increase exponentially in value? Thanks you for all that you do Adam.

CONFUCIUS did NOT say... Man, who wants pretty nurse, must be patient. Passionate kiss, like spider web, leads to undoing of fly. Lady who goes camping must beware of evil intent. Squirrel who runs up woman's leg will not find nuts. Man who leaps off cliff jumps to conclusion. Man who runs in front of car gets tired; man who runs behind car gets exhausted. Man who eats many prunes get good run for money. War does not determine who is right, it determines who is left. Man who fight with wife all day get no piece at night. It takes many nails to build a crib, but one screw to fill it. Man who drives like hell is bound to get there. Man who stands on toilet is high on pot. Man who live in glass house should change clothes in basement. Finally... "A lion will not cheat on his wife, but a Tiger Wood!"

Trust me as a coin collector when I say this is SOOO photoshop. No sovereign country would issue a coin that does not have the countries name and duh, why would an Arabic country print the coin in western English? Come on, please do not beleive the moron that posted a photoshop coin that has NOOO description...you can't fool an old fool. This guy who posted this does not even merit a thumb clap, geez is he SOO dumb.

You know some people really do think they can give out intel that has meaning...but this guy, hmm, I think he lost his stright jacket. He belongs back in the room with padded walls. I bet he is the same guy that says Condoleeza Rica has foot lockers full of Iraqi Dinars too...LOL

Bad or broken link.

Does anyone have deep connections at the IMF? To be able to quote that the IMF is appaled is rather generic and vague. Thats like saying congress said this and congress said that. Baloney, show me direct quotes of KEY IMf personnel either stating in public or via emails about any disdain. Seriously, I can quote any institution in the world but what does that make me look like? Geez! Get a life, show me the proof in the pudding that the IMF is indeed appaled and I will retract. If not then please realize that the biggest offense in the world is not to offend others, in fact, it is to offend thyself. You offend yourself when you make yourself look like a complete and utter fool. Yea, its easy to sit back and say what a goof ball, but let's analyze the real truth, you do not fool me, just yourself. I wish people, anyone, someone would show proof in the pudding, hand in cookie jar. If not, then please just sit back and enjoy the ride...

You know, being deployed out here in Western Iraq I have seen and own all the notes at the CBI. What I do not own is the coins. I am a big time coin collector and would love to own the two at CBI. Funny thing is that the CBI posts an email address to write to -- which I have. No one responds, why place an email address at your site and NEVER respond is beyond me. Oh well, let's not jump any guns and wait till Iraq does what they want to do when they want to do it, after all it is not our currency. Yes we are shareholders so to speak but you and me are not on the board. Like so many folks have said, sit back and enjoy the ride...

What do you mean you are on Base David? I am in Iraq, way, way, West Iraq. I feel the 117 and 118 degree weather when I have to walk outside. I walk to the chow hall they call Dining Facility, DFAC for short, I walk to the laundy, the BX/PX and my favorite walk to the military finance office. Trust you me there is no such thing called Base Anything out here. I have had the pleasure of flying to a number of Forward Operating Bases, FOB's for short and can assure you I never heard of one called Base David. Now, if you have a friend at ANY base anywhere in the globe I can call them. Why you ask? Very simple we all have what is called a DSN number. Two types of DSN numbers and I do not wish to expound what that means. Now, if you have a friend on Base David, have that person provide me a DSN number, any of the two types and I will call myself, I will commit to personally calling, even if it means getting up in the middle of the night, I REALLY want to know where in world Base David is. Show me on google maps where this place is, give me a DSN number for me to substantiate the diatribe you write. If you REALLY want to make a beleiver out of me get me the numbers. If you cannot comply then please state your expletive elshwere and keep this place clean. Curb after your dogs please.

Guru Tony, in your next conversation with your military officer, whichever branch, kindly ask him or her to send you an email, make that person commit to you in writing. I bougth $100 of Dinar today with no caveats. The transaction is real simple, green goes in and colorful comes out. I live and work way, way West Iraq so I live and breath this stuff. I will know if there are denials of service at the military finance, So please do your diligence and force the officer to commit in writing, this way he or she has to back up what they say...at the present moment I can put that person down. In fact, get me a DSN number, all military knows what that means and I will call and verify for anyone that asks. Please do not post unsubsatiated diatribes about us in Iraq without checking your facts. Maybe I should compliment your zeal but I would rather not since you have offended yourself rather easily and any number of others. Just like a reporter buddy, back up your claim and you are golden, dont back it up and hmmm what does that make you?

Your advice is solid, therre is NO circumventing US Customs and I am sure they will be apprised as soon as an RV hits. Factoring the droves of us contractors hitting the eastern seabord in a frenzy will undoubtedly raise suspicion causing the government agency to quickly research and be up to speed about the re-evaluation of the IQD. Since my R&R is not till way later int he year I have to be more resourceful. I did confirm, the in theater USPS does not allow by any means necessary to ship IQD. Most couriers in my experience do not allow as well. Ah, I do have a supervisor going on R&R real soon so I wil inquire if he can take my IQD for me and ship...most people would cringe at the thought...I am taking a calculated risk...where as that risk at the present day would equate in worst case scenario as a $1500 loss. Post RV and showing up on the East Coast would result in having to pay taxes on the spot...duh like who can afford that? In retrospect it looks like I have come full circle and answered my question. I do feel sorry for personnel in Alaska that have no way to cash in other than CONUS...bringing currency from Alaska to CONUS would have to be decalred, at least I feel it should...I giess their only work around is to fly to CONUS and deposit in a bank to hold till post RV. Let me tell you this has been a learning curve eventhough it is not applicable to most...hope other contractors, DOD civilians and military figure out a way now...cheers everyone.

Okay, last post for the night...I am literally falling asleep as I am nine hours ahead of most people. I am a coin collector and the USPS. I had one PO tell me I couldd not mail coins. I mail coins to PCGS to have them graded and slabbed. I was told I could send registered mail. I will inquire if I am allowed to send that way. 50/50 chance I suspect. Thanks. Not sure who I should also ask if there will be a potential cash in place outside the US. I work out here in Iraq and also live in Latin America...not sure if anyone knows about cashing in outside CONUS? Ideas?

You are right, after doing a bit of due diligence I came up with this link http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/archives/2009_news_releases/july_2009/07232009.xml A very interesting read. The ironic part of this is that I am paying today's rate and post RV it will be worth something else. Declaring what I say it is curently worth or what I paid for is not a lie. I only have a few receipts, some are even in total Arabic. Nevertheless, it does pose an interesting topic for thousand upon thousands of personnell that can be potentially nabbed. Incidentally, we are not allowed to mail currency in theater, it is forbidden even through the USPS.

You know, I am a contractor over here in Iraq. At my particular base we do not have a local bank, at other bases we do. Nevertheless, we have military finance to convert our USD to IQD. We exchange them for the same rate you see at the CBI website, not a penny more or less. I bought $100 worth today with no caveats. The transaction with the military is fast and simple, green goes in and colorful comes out. I walk away with funny money and add it to my collection. I hear about lines, that is so much baloney it hurts. I live over here guys and gals, trust me if there was any type of line I would know, in fact many of us contractors would know. If the finance office says to us sorry we can no longer sell that would be an indicator. Since this is not the case, please be careful what you post about us over here, we can quickly contradict you in a flash. Not that this is my primary intent, but I am here living the 118 degree plus weather and having to walk in this mess. Living the sanstorms yada, yada, yada. I ask that you doubly confirm what is said about us out here. Lastly, there is absolutely and positively no restriction for any personnel civilian or military leaving this place with physical currency in tow. This I can assure you 100%.

Hello all, not sure if anyone has any ideas on US customs and US customs ppw. The issue is one for personnel like myself, civilian contractors in Iraq coming to the US with Dinar in tow. I am deployed in Western Iraq of my own free will. When the RV happens you can understand why thousands of us contractors, military and even government workers will make a B line for the eastern seabord of the US. Picture this, we buy our Dinars at current face value, the same one you see at the CBI. That is what the local banks, yes there are more than one, Warka is not necessarily the king of the road. We also buy on base at the military finance office, same rate as CBI offers. My point is this, when the RV hits and we come in in droves will we have problems with US Customs. We obviously paid a different rate than whatever the RV turns out to be. If I have $1500 worth if Dinar that is what I paid and that should be what I declare ont he form correct? Would I be a fool not to decalre and simply keep quiet? I understand this does not affect anyone sitting down in the US, only us citizins towing precious cargo I would say. Does US Customs have to be apprised of currency that I bring in that falls under the 10k threashold? Thousghts, concerns, indifferences would be appreciated. Thanks.

I have written to him several times. Only one one ocassion did he reply. The truth of the matter is that the US does not print currency other then our own. Yes, I am a coin collector and am familiar in this area. Breitling has made two comments that we print the money, we simply do not so that makes his assetion entirely false. I only say this because any coin collector will tell you the same. By the same token, does the US have some say so and or guiding interest where the money is made? perhaps but not on a profit level. Unless there are a few entities that own stock in Thomas De La Rue (UK). I get Breitlings point about we make the IQD...but not correct. No big deal really, just symantecs I am trying to correct.

I am an overseas contractor currently deployed in Northern Iraq. If and when it is time for me to resign and go back for the RV -- as will tons of contractos out here; will we have problems with US customs importing millions or Dinar. Naturally, we buy it locally at 1170 exchange rate and I am not sure if US customs will be apprised of the RV. Do we have to declare a million Dinar on the customs form? I bought it at 1170 and that is well under the ten thousand dollar threashold. Just want to make sure we slash I do not have problems declaring or worse...who knows. Your thoughts?