Base money is just as special as it ever was. Technology changes and post-crisis monetary policy are making financial assets and money indistinguishable. Central banks now need to work in partnership with fiscal authorities. Several economists at the Lindau meeting were severely critical of central banks’ conduct of monetary policy in the light of continuing depression in the US, Japan and much of Europe, and called for greater use of fiscal policy to bring about recovery.

The 1794 Flowing Hair dollar that recently generated a world record price for a coin sold in a public auction is an example of how a combination of factors including individuals with decades each of numismatic knowledge and experience, continuing research, one-on-one consensus building and astute marketing helped a coin jump from $264,000 in 1984 to over $10 million 29 years later.

Steven L. Contursi, who has owned a mint-condition 1794 Liberty dollar for the past seven years, confirmed Thursday that he sold it to the Cardinal Collection Educational Foundation of Sunnyvale for $7.85 million - setting the new world record for the Most Expensive Coin.

What may be America's oldest silver dollar has become the world's most expensive coin, with its owner saying it changed hands in a private transaction between coin collectors for nearly $8 million.

This 1794-dated U.S. silver dollar is believed to be among the first silver dollars struck by the United States Mint.

An image of the finest known 1794 Flowing Hair silver dollar, owned and frequently exhibited by Steven L. Contursi, President of Rare Coin Wholesalers of Dana Point, California, may appear on wine bottles.

An image of the finest known 1794 Flowing Hair silver dollar, owned and frequently exhibited by Steven L. Contursi, President of Rare Coin Wholesalers of Dana Point, California, may appear on wine bottles.

A multi-million dollar educational display of California Gold Rush era treasures will be exhibited during the Long Beach, Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expo, June 1 - 3, 2006.

Steve Contursi, holds up his rare, 1803 Draped Bust silver dollar, insured for $1 million, at the Santa Clara Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expo, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2005, in Santa Clara, Calif.