Re: How much could you buy the moon for?

As bizarre as your question sounds, it is actually a rather 
controversial topic.  
    As for the absolute worth of the moon, it's kind of hard to say.  
Different elements and metals have differing worth, depending on 
where and to whom you are trying to sell them.  
   The moon is made up largely of  volcanic rock, like basalt, which we 
have in abundance right here on Earth.  Being smaller and less 
dense than the Earth, the Moon lacks the ability to compress silicates 
into heavy metals, so it is unlikely you would find much in the way of 
expensive ores.  If you could somehow drill all the way to the core, 
you might find a few hundred kilometers worth of nickel and iron, but 
the expense of finding, mining and shipping as yet would not 
outweigh the cost of the project.  
     The Moon might not be rich in expensive resources, but it is worth 
a lot from a scientific and popular viewpoint.  I'm sure one could 
make a lot of money off of a plain, ordinary moon rock (especially if it 
was sold on Ebay.)  As far as real estate goes, too, I hear the 
neighborhoods on the moon are pretty quiet and all have excellent 
views.  
     However, even if one could devise a way of making money from 
the Moon, it would be illegal to do so.  The United Nations passed the 
Outer Space treaty of 1967, making it illegal for a government of any 
kind to own any part of a celestial object.  They also created the Moon 
Treaty of 1979 (signed in 1984), that further prohibits any person, 
company or corporation from owning any part of the moon.  The only 
catch is that the U.S.A. and Russia never signed it (what a surprise), 
so some would argue that these countries (and their citizens) could 
legally own the Moon.  Looks like you need to immigrate if you wish to 
buy property on the Moon, Iffe.  
     In answer to your last question, YES,  there are scads of websites 
(like www.moonestates.com) that will sell property on the moon 
(complete with deed) as well as on any other celestial object. I'm 
sure most would gladly  accept your credit card.  And if you are 
looking for a bridge, I can hook you up a sweet deal on one in 
Brooklyn....

                                                             -Paul Barrett