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
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.
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.
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.
2001
Blanchard places its first seven-figure coin, the $20 Saint-Gaudens Ultra High relief.
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.
2009
Blanchard places the 1804 Dollar pedigreed Adam Carter
2009
Blanchard reaches 400,000 clients served.
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
2014
Blanchard places the 1894-S Dime pedigreed Daggett
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”
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.
