A History of Gold Market Advocacy

A Key Industry Influencer From the Beginning

Blanchard and Company, Inc., was founded upon and continues to be driven by the belief that precious metals and rare coins possess unique qualities that make them attractive holdings for any long-term investment strategy.

The hard work of two Blanchard visionaries — Jim Blanchard and Donald Doyle — helped pave the way for the millions of investors today who leverage these tangible assets to enhance and protect their wealth.


Blanchard History: A Timeline

Jim Blanchard

1933

FDR legally prohibits private U.S. citizens from owning gold.

 

1971

Jim Blanchard spearheads a nationwide grassroots movement to legalize gold ownership, seeing it as a core right and a key to individual prosperity. He founds the National Committee to Legalize Gold.

President Nixon

1971

President Nixon takes the U.S. dollar off the gold standard.

 

1973

Blanchard arranges for a biplane with a “Legalize Gold” banner to fly over President Nixon’s second-term inauguration. He also holds press conferences across the U.S., brandishing gold bars and daring authorities to arrest him.

 

1974

President Ford legally permits the private ownership of gold.

 

1975

Blanchard opens the investment firm of Blanchard and Company, Inc., in New Orleans, Louisiana.

 

1983

Blanchard cofounds the Industry Council for Tangible Assets and serves on the Cato Institute.

 

1984

The World Gold Association names Blanchard Man of the Year.

Donald Doyle

1988

Donald Doyle replaces Jim Blanchard as CEO of Blanchard and Company.

 

1991

Doyle purchases Blanchard and Company from Allegiance Capital Partners.

 

1993

Doyle becomes Chair of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets.

 

1995

Blanchard places its first one million dollar coin, a $4 Stella

1995

Blanchard reaches 200,000 clients served

 

1996

Doyle serves as President of the Coalition for Equitable Regulation and Taxation, successfully supporting legislation allowing individuals to hold gold in their IRAs.

 

1999

Blanchard and John Albanese — the world’s most renowned numismatist — team up together.

 

2000

Blanchard reaches 300,000 clients served.

$20 Saint-Gaudens

2001

Blanchard places its first seven-figure coin, the $20 Saint-Gaudens Ultra High relief.

$20 St. Gaudens 1907

2002

Blanchard places a $20 St. Gaudens 1907 Ultra High Relief for well over $1 million

 

2002

Blanchard partners with Odyssey Marine for the exclusive rights to sell the coins and bars from the S.S. Central America, which sank in 1857 off the coast of South Carolina

 

 

2004

Blanchard places one of the five 1913 Liberty Nickels, the Hawaii 5-0 specimen

 

 

2005

Blanchard opens its second office in Dallas, Texas

 

 

2007

John Albanese forms CAC with Blanchard.

1804 Dollar

2009

Blanchard places the 1804 Dollar pedigreed Adam Carter

 

 

2009

Blanchard reaches 400,000 clients served.

The Brasher Doubloon

2011

Blanchard places The Brasher Doubloon, the world’s most valuable rare coin at the time.

 

 

2013

Blanchard places over 250 1000 ounce silver bars that were lost with the sinking of the Gairsoppa, which sank in 1941 off the coast of Ireland and Great Britain, after being fired upon by a German U-boat. The wreck of the Gairsoppa was discovered in 2011

 

 

2014

Blanchard reaches 450,000 clients served

1894-S Dime

2014

Blanchard places the 1894-S Dime pedigreed Daggett

 

David Beahm

2015

David Beahm is appointed Chief Executive Officer by the Board of Directors

 

 

2016

Blanchard opens their third office in Mandeville, Louisiana

 

2016

Blanchard sells over 200 coins from the 300th anniversary of the sinking of the 1715 fleet which was carrying the “Queen’s Jewels”

 

SS Central America

2018

More treasure from the SS Central America goes on sale with Blanchard being one of only two authorized dealers. The SSCA sank during a hurricane in 1857 and over 3,000 gold coins, 45 pioneer gold ingots and more than 10,000 silver coins were recovered on the second salvage mission in 2014.

 

 

2019

Blanchard reaches 600,000 clients served.

 

 

2020

Blanchard reaches a milestone of 45 years in business.

 

 

2021

Blanchard starts accepting Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as payment.