The gold reserve of Germany has disappeared? Where is Germany's gold reserve today?

For more than a year the story continues with the German gold reserve. If someone else has not heard, then Germany has demanded from the US and France to return to it part of the reserves. The latter are in storage for these countries for more than a decade. And how did they get there? And why does the United States refuse to return what does not rightfully belong to them?

Historical reference

Of course, the Germans did not carry their gold in the US. Just many years ago, even in the postwar period, it was purchased and left for storage there. The "Bundesbank" still considers such a policy quite reasonable. Why take away gold from the places of big trade? In case Germany's gold reserves are to be quickly sold for foreign currency, it will be just "at hand". Here such system. And do not say that only Germany adheres to such views.

How did the scandal begin?

About a year ago, several Bundestag deputies "unexpectedly" found out for themselves where Germany's gold reserves, namely 45%, were stored. The word "unexpectedly" is put in quotation marks, because it causes not just surprise, but a grin the very idea that politicians occupying such high posts have not yet been aware of this. Most likely, it was a populist step aimed at raising its own rating.

There is another version: the situation is so deadlocked that it was useless to remain silent. It seems that this version is correct.

In general, the Germans, of course, have something to worry about. Reserve gold reserves of Germany - 3386 tons, the second largest in the world! In the first place, of course, the United States of America, the presence of precious metal in the vaults of which has been questioned for some time.

Give at least a little bit

In March 2013, the Bundesbank asked the US not to return the entire gold reserve, but only 300 tons, located in the Federal Reserve in New York.

Total German precious metal in the US is more than 1500 tons. But naturally, not all of Germany's gold reserves are stored there. It is known that 31% of the reserve is located at home, far from major trading centers. Another 13% are in the Bank of England and 11% in the Bank of France. By the way, the plans of the German government until 2020 to return all the gold in Paris and 300 tons of precious metal from the United States. Why so few? Really just because of what to drive far? It turns out that they will sell their gold only in New York and London? Not certainly in that way.

Low-quality ingots

Recently, another story of the post-war years was made public. It turns out that a batch of ingots of deliberately low quality was delivered from the USA to England after World War II, which the central banks of these powers were well aware of. The documents found indicate that the gold did not meet the so-called standard of the London quality supply. Since the last delivery was intended for Germany on account of regular payments, this was omitted. And the Germans, who at that time were not in dispute, took "gold" without talking.

This is one known case. It remains a mystery how much there was any low-quality supplies of gold to the FRG, and what is actually in the vaults of Germany?

Immediately recall another story from the recent past. The Chinese found that some banks in the world kept fake ingots that were made of tungsten and covered in gold. What was actually delivered to Germany, it remains only to guess. But back to London.

Secret export

We assumed that the Germans are going to trade gold in such large trading centers as London and New York. But it became known that from England the gold reserve of Germany "disappeared": it was almost two-thirds taken out. Until 2000, there were about 1.5 thousand tons, and by 2001 there were only 550 tons! Recall that from the US the Germans wanted to take out 300 tons in seven years, but here in just a year it was easy to take almost 1,000 tons? Is it all about the high cost of transportation?

By the way, the export of gold from England was almost "noiseless", there was no scandal. Interesting is the fact that the gold reserve returned from Germany was melted down. It is alleged that this was done to increase its sample to the level of the London quality supply. It's strange, because it is known that the Bank of England does not take another for storage. Maybe, again a substandard supply? ..

American Bubble

For several years everyone has been saying that the US economy is undergoing a serious crisis. American external debt hangs on the brink of a fiscal cliff, but this world power continues not only to "stay afloat", but also to control world politics and finance. What is the secret of such success? It is clear that much is tied to the dollar. Oil is sold and bought, mainly, only for their currency. It is very beneficial for the US, although lately there has been talk of using other currencies.

Another plus is the world's largest gold reserve in the US. Again, only in words. What, then, prevented the American authorities from meeting the demands of Germany and returning a fraction of its gold?

At first the Germans were refused at all. Then Germany expressed a desire to make sure that Germany's gold reserve in the US is intact. As a result, one of the depositories was opened, but no one was allowed inside. And it is not known what the German inspectors saw there. By the way, 5 tons of precious metal from the US still managed to return. According to some German publications, several hundred thousand euros were spent on its transportation. The latter again causes doubt. If the transportation is so expensive, then 1000 tons, which was urgently returned from England, should have depreciated this gold. Many will object that it is more expensive to drive from the USA and, indeed, more expensive, because the expenses are mainly for safety. The cost of fuel for ships or aircraft is hardly comparable.

But back to the American gold. It turns out that specialists who saw these ingots say that they are marked in 2013. That is, it is not at all the ingots that were accepted for storage. The quality of the latter is also unknown.

Complicated story

As you know, the American economy (yes, what to say, and the world) is based on virtual (electronic) money. Every day thousands of brokers on stock exchanges sell and buy shares, currency and precious metals. And if the situation with the last two cases is fairly transparent, then it's a dark matter with the bonds. People buy and resell debt, and according to some sources, they have now accumulated in an amount that is twenty times higher than world GDP! And if one day will have to pay these obligations?

This principle was followed by the huge external debt of the USA, because the printing press does not belong to the state. For social reforms, the government has to borrow money from a group of private banks. Agree that to lend money to someone who will never give them away, banks will be for the time being. At least for a long time this can not continue.

There is an opinion that there is no more gold in the federal reserve of the United States (and this is in the country where Germany's gold reserves are kept!). It was either pledged for debt, or actively sold to keep the price of gold at a low level. Confirmation to the first assumption is another scandal of the recent past.

When the ends meet do not converge

In 2011, one of the largest private gold custodians in the world was forced to sue in order to determine who actually owns the precious metal worth $ 850 million. There was it, when at once several owners began to show the rights to the same ingots. The latter, in turn, led to the fact that during the lending operations gold was re-invested several times, and now it is simply not possible to determine its real owner. And all this despite the fact that the precious metal stored is not subject to such operations.

All possible answers

Is Germany's gold reserve in the US? The question remains open. Legally, yes, but in fact ... Did Germany's gold reserve disappear? Most likely, he went into circulation. Gold is either pledged or sold. Americans did the same as any bank, where you deposited your money. Let's say that today you put a large amount on the account, and if you demand it back in a couple of days, then most likely you will be denied, explaining that you need to look for cash. Your money was put into circulation, for example, by giving someone a loan. Agree, the bank should also earn.

There is an opinion that the Americans do not want to give gold to Germany, because they fear that the Germans will leave the Eurozone. Germany is going to return the brand in circulation, providing its own gold. After all, the Germans have more of it than half of Europe. A good leash is in the hands of the United States, is not it? It is good to have a political and economic ally, whose gold reserves you control completely.

Situation to date

Officially, the German authorities deny the information that Germany is returning the gold reserves from America. They say that the United States proved to be a good partner and the German gold was kept absolutely free (unlike England and France). Why is it for Americans? It remains only to guess. They say that gold gives weight to their currency as a reserve. But would not it be better for the Germans if it were where Germany's gold reserves provided the currency like the euro?

But the Fed is not trusted even by the Americans themselves. So the question of where Germany's gold reserves are located remains open to this day.