"When everyone is looking for gold,
it could be a good time to be
in the pick and shovel business."
-- Mark Twain
I’m curious how many people have noticed changes in the White House Oval Office. I don’t refer to any individual but, rather, the décor. On TV news reports it’s impossible not to see the brash embellishments applied to the trim and detailing on White House walls and doorways. What had been subtle white colonial adornments now gleam and scream in bright gold.
If that’s the case, leaders in China may soon be flaunting many a golden image thanks to recent massive deposit discoveries. According to some reports, huge gold strikes have taken place in that authoritarian land. Of course, any such info has to be taken with a grain of salt. China is renowned for making false claims that might somehow benefit them....
Doubts aside, China has announced several major finds including what could be the largest gold mine in the world. One report came in late 2025 estimating 1,444 tons of “low grade” gold. Another find exceeding 1,000 tons was also announced. This past March, a "supergiant" high-grade deposit was said to be discovered in lodes totaling over 3,500 tons. Again, none of this is confirmed.
As collectors and investors know, China has long been recognized for producing their “Panda” gold bullion coins. Those rival the US “Eagle,” Canadian “Maple Leaf,” and South African “Krugerrand.”
As of 2025, The United States is said to hold the world's largest gold reserves with 8,133 metric tons (261 million troy ounces). Comparatively, China could have between 3,000 and 5,000 metric tons. Germany, Italy, France and Russia are said to each possess between 2,000 and 3,000 tons.
Previously, the tiny country of Liberia wasn’t even a blip on the gold radar insofar as stockpiles. Situated next to Sierra Leone and Guinea on Africa’s southwest coast, Liberia was founded in the mid-1800s as a refuge for freed slaves from America seeking liberty. Hence the name. It has since experienced a roller coaster history with violent armed conflicts dominating the 20th century.
In the past few years, Liberia made headlines because of a reported $13 trillion in gold believed to be waiting to be recovered. Such a massive find would result in Liberia becoming one of the largest gold-bearing entities in the world. In comparison, US gold reserves are said to amount to around $1.5 trillion. What remains in the ground in the US is unknown.
Collectors have previously only known of Liberia because of the variety of amusing but worthless “collectible” stamps it produces. Most collectors immediately dismiss Liberia’s endless stamps due to subjects pandering to modern people and events in the US and some European countries.
Examples have included the US space program/our astronauts landing on the moon; images of current US politicians and presidents; or, celebrities and notable people such as Princess Diana after her tragic death. Liberian stamps are sold primarily through mail-order to people who have an interest in the subjects depicted on them. Most serious collectors consider the stamps nothing more than “stickers.” Very few true collectors pay anything to collect them. Liberian stamps sell in the US for just a few dollars apiece, if that.
With the possible new detection of gold in Liberia, an unintended connection for the US with some current Liberian stamps comes with them depicting President Donald Trump – the man responsible for so much gold trim to White House ornamentation. Trump’s portrait has graced dozens of stamps from Liberia.
Recent Liberian stamps feature photos of the president at various events and speeches. Many show him smiling or celebrating with his wife and children. Some show Trump as stern and/or resolved. In fairness, not all are flattering. A sheet of 2023 Liberian $200 stamps showed photos of the president scowling. It was his booking mug shot taken when he was arrested on charges of trying to “fix” the 2020 election.
Denominations on Liberian stamps range from as little as $2.00 to over $450. Understand, those are in “Liberian Dollars” and are nothing to be excited about. The recent exchange rate puts 100 US dollars equivalent to over 18,200 Liberian dollars. In other words, it’s pretty much play money.
That being said, some will eagerly buy the Liberian stamps believing they might go up in value. They won’t. Ever. Period. In fact, even with gold now at over $5,000 an ounce, it would make more sense investing in the shiny precious metal than any Liberian sticky paper labels/stamps. At least, that’s my two-cents worth.
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