Instruments of Real Value: Cigars, Gold, and the Return to Tangible Wealth
Contributed by Alexander Harmon
Throughout history, value has always been rooted in something tangible—goods, labor, or resources that hold meaning beyond a printed dollar. Before digital wallets and central banking, communities thrived on trade that was backed by real worth: land, gold, and sometimes even cigars. Today, as inflation chips away at the power of paper currency, many are returning to instruments of lasting value to safeguard their wealth and independence.
One might not expect cigars to appear on that list, but their history tells a fascinating story. In the 20th century, cigars were more than a luxury—they were a symbol of trade, diplomacy, and economic strength. After the Cuban Revolution in 1959, cigars became part of a geopolitical standoff between capitalism and communism. The U.S. embargo on Cuban tobacco didn’t just cut off a product; it cut off one of the most valuable exports that once fueled Cuba’s economy. While communism centralized control and stifled trade, cigars remained a quiet symbol of free markets and craftsmanship—where value was earned, not dictated.
Cigars represented a form of personal independence. They were traded, collected, gifted, and valued across cultures. A well-made cigar, like gold, was universally recognized as a store of worth. They moved through economies as symbols of status and stability, especially during uncertain times. In a sense, cigars helped demonstrate that economies thrive when value is tied to skill, quality, and natural resources—not government printing presses.
Gold, of course, is the ultimate historical example of value that endures. For thousands of years, gold has been the anchor of wealth, used for currency, savings, and trade. Unlike paper money, gold cannot be created out of thin air—it must be mined, refined, and earned. Its scarcity and universal appeal make it resistant to inflation and political manipulation.
That’s where instruments like Goldbacks come in—a modern innovation that bridges traditional gold value with everyday usability. Goldbacks are physical notes made with real gold embedded in polymer, allowing people to save, spend, and trade with a form of money that holds intrinsic worth. They bring back the trust and reliability that fiat currency has lost over time.
When you hold a Goldback, a cigar from a fine batch, or the deed to a piece of land, you’re holding something with genuine, provable value. Unlike digital bank balances or paper money that can vanish with policy changes or inflation, these instruments remain steadfast. They carry history, labor, and integrity within them.
As our financial systems grow more digital and detached from reality, the wisdom of tangible assets becomes clearer. Property, gold, and even quality goods like cigars remind us that true wealth is measured in what endures—not what inflates and fades.
The lesson is simple: value belongs in your hands, not in the promises of institutions. Whether it’s the richness of a hand-rolled cigar, the shimmer of gold, or the security of owning land, these are the foundations of a stable and free economy.
When you invest in tangible assets, you’re not just protecting your wealth—you’re preserving your independence.