The 12 Properties of Money: What Really Makes Something Valuable

In a world where everything — from your paycheck to your crypto wallet — claims to be “money,” Alan Hibbard asks a question few ever stop to consider: What actually makes something a true store of value? In Episode 3 of Hidden Secrets of Value, Alan breaks down the 12 properties that define real money, exposing why most currencies fail—and why gold continues to stand the test of time. A $100 Gift Card and a Painful Lesson In his twenties, Alan received a $100 Pier 1 gift card — a little stash of value he decided to save for later. But when […]
Beyond Intrinsic Value: Why Gold Is the Best Money

For thousands of years, civilizations have turned to gold as the ultimate store of wealth. But is it because of some mysterious “intrinsic value”? Alan Hibbard argues that the real reason gold has endured isn’t mystical at all — it’s practical. In his latest video, he explains why gold has remained money while countless other forms of currency have faded away. Rethinking “Intrinsic Value” Many people — from Aristotle to modern economists — have claimed that gold’s role as money comes from its “intrinsic value.” After all, it’s a tangible metal with uses in jewelry, art, and technology. But as […]
