“If you had silver, they took you into the backroom. That’s where the real groceries were,” recalls Bert Dohmen, who grew up in post-WWII Germany when the Reichsmark had collapsed and trust in paper money was gone. In this week’s summer series on how precious metals save lives, Bert shares how silver coins became the only way to buy food amid the ruins of a 94% destroyed city.

“The only currency left was Hitler’s money. Nobody wanted it. But we had silver—and that meant survival,” he says. As a child, he scavenged bombed-out buildings for metal to trade—copper, zinc, even platinum from old lightning rods. Now, after six decades in the financial markets, Bert reflects: “Gold and silver weren’t just wealth. They were lifelines. That’s a lesson you never forget.”

Watch the full interview to hear Bert’s unforgettable story.

A Childhood Saved by Silver: What Americans Must Learn Before It’s Too Late

Could a handful of silver coins save your life?

For Bert Dohmen, it did. As a child in war-torn Germany, his family survived the collapse of civilization not with paper money, but with real, physical silver. His story is a wake-up call for Americans who still trust the illusion of fiat stability. In his words, “silver saved my family.”

Today, amid global uncertainty, skyrocketing debt, and financial propaganda, his warning has never been more urgent.

When Paper Died, Silver Bought Survival

After the war ended in 1945, Bert’s city was 94% destroyed. Streets were buried under rubble. The Reichsmark—Hitler’s currency—was worthless. But one thing held its value:

• Silver Maria Theresa thalers—universally trusted and easily exchanged
• Black market access—groceries and essentials were stashed in “backrooms” for those with real money
• Barter and metal—children scavenged for platinum, copper, and zinc from bombed buildings to survive

“Nobody wanted paper,” Bert recalled. “But if you had silver, they took you in the backroom where the food was.”

This wasn’t ancient history. It was just 80 years ago.

From German Hyperinflation to Today: Are We Next?

Bert remembers the ghost of 1921 as well. His family owned worthless paper notes stamped from 1 million to 1 billion marks—a haunting relic of the Weimar hyperinflation. Americans dismiss this as irrelevant.

But why?

• The U.S. has never faced a devastating war or hyperinflation… yet
• Money supply is surging, despite the Fed’s talk of tightening
• The dollar has been off the gold standard since 1971, making it pure fiat
• ATMs have already failed in Tehran, Ukraine, and during European blackouts

“Bitcoin won’t save you in a blackout,” Bert warns. “You need physical metal.”

Market Highs Are Bull Traps. Wall Street Is Dumping

Bert isn’t just a survivor—he’s a seasoned trader who’s run the Wellington Letter for nearly 50 years. His market read is brutally honest:

• Stocks are near record highs—but insiders are selling
• Media hype masks systemic weakness—algos and financial TV are priming the public for the next crash
• PE ratios of 500 are “insane,” yet promoted as bargains

He calls it what it is: a distribution phase, where smart money exits and Main Street is left holding the bag.

Gold Window Closed, Trust Evaporated

Why did Nixon close the gold window in 1971? Bert has a chilling theory:

“Maybe the gold was already gone.”

He notes that Fort Knox hasn’t been audited in decades. Senator Rand Paul’s efforts to force transparency have been stonewalled. Meanwhile, the U.S. is importing massive amounts of gold—why, if we already have enough?

And now:

• Gold is becoming a Tier 1 bank asset
• It may soon replace Treasuries as the ultimate safe haven

Why Physical Gold and Silver Still Matter

When systems fail, only tangible assets survive.

• Gold and silver are wealth preservation tools, not speculative bets
• They function without internet, power, or centralized control
• They hedge against inflation, debt, and currency collapse

As Bert put it bluntly: “Own it. Don’t let someone else keep it for you.”

Paper promises can vanish. Digital wallets can be locked. But a gold coin in your hand is value that no one can inflate away.

Conclusion: The Warning We Can’t Ignore

From bombed-out cities to stock market hype, Bert’s life is a testament to one truth:

Precious metals are the ultimate fallback.

History doesn’t repeat, but it rhymes. As America hurtles deeper into debt and delusion, we must learn from those who’ve seen collapse firsthand.

Don’t be the bag holder. Be the survivor.

About ITM Trading
ITM Trading has over 28 years of experience helping clients safeguard their wealth through personalized strategies built on physical gold and silver. Our team of experts delivers research-backed guidance tailored to today’s economic threats.

THINKING ABOUT PURCHASING GOLD & SILVER?
Get expert guidance from our team of analysts with 28+ years of experience.
👉 [SCHEDULE YOUR CALL HERE] or call 866-706-9061