I have a $5 gold coin, for which I have no present use. It occurs to me that I could start a bank account with it—say 500 years ago—and earn 5% intererst, on average. I calculate my money in the bank would now be approximately $196,616,309,136.09, enough to support me through my golden years, even if I joined a country club and took up golfing.
Seán

quote:

It occurs to me that I could start a bank account with it—say 500 years ago—and earn 5% interest, on average. I calculate my money in the bank would now be approximately $196,616,309,136.09,

Of course, you'd first have to identify a bank that's been in continuous operation over that time period, and provided steady interest rates over the whole time, and which doesn't object to having an account for which the owner can't be found.

Henry

quote:

Of course,...—Henry

     After seeing that lovely account balance, I believe fervently in time travel. Your caveats are mere details that I'm sure my financial advisers will find ways to deal with. My main concern is with current payments—I want to buy a small country with a warm climate, superb golf courses and congenial girls. Is it too soon to write a check for that? I'd like to make the purchase before inflation strikes.
Seán

This relevant comment comes to us from the 32nd century:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/...-Story?detail=unhide

Enjoy.

Jeff

Jeff,
      Retrograde time travel is analogous to a reverse Ouroboros: A giant serpent thrusts his head into his anus and continues crawling until he vanishes entirely. Of course that could never really happen because of issues related to reptilian flexibility. However, it has sometimes succeeded as a political maneuver.
Seán