[archdriver]

Just a question, do many of you think that a stash of gold coin or bullion would be a 'must have' in a SHTF scenario.?

[Screaming Eagle]

I'm not sure about 'must' have. It would have been better if you could have gotten it over a year ago, but still not a bad idea for gold and (especially) silver as a hedge for the future. I honestly expect both to shoot through the proverbial roof as the $$ continues to decline.

[Celticwarrior]

As we have discussed in other threads, the usefulness of any metal (silver, gold, platinum, jewelry, etc.) depends heavily on the situation you are in. If we are talking about hyper-inflation or total devaluation of the dollar, or some other economic disaster, where things WILL get better but for the moment, people have no faith in anything that isn't "hard currency" (see the year or so after the fall of the Soviet Union and the beginnings of the post-Soviet capitalist system), then gold, etc. is your best bet. People will still trust it, and it will undoubtably be worth more than you paid for it.

If you are talking about a short-term disaster, like Katrina, then it is a liability, since it is heavy and not easily moved. Only caching would be suitable for keeping it safe. Also, you will likely be ripped off in trades, since no one would have "change" for your gold or silver, and you would be giving up whole bullion or coin (at whatever you bought that at) for goods or services that are not likely to cost that much in the "Real World". Cash money would be better in that case.

If you are talking about a complete collapse, TSHTF/TEOTWAWKI, we are looking at a two-pronged approach. Early on, people will have food and supplies available for salvage and looting, so that won't be something they would be concerned with. Most of the good trading for gold and silver will happen early on, when people have hope that things will return to normal and their "trade" of simple things for some flashy metals will be well rewarded. As time goes on though, your supplies will run lower, living standards will degrade, and if the "government" doesn't get back to business soon, all faith in any monetary system, including precious metals, will disappear and only straight barter for useful goods WITH useful goods will apply. A truckload of gold won't buy you a candy bar if there is no market left for the gold, but people are starving to death. It is human nature. The only ones who will buy gold with services or goods will be the criminal networks who "obtain" plenty of black market items, and charge an arm and a leg for them. Gasoline for generators and cars, ammo and spare parts for guns, tobacco/alcohol/drugs for the weak-willed, anything you can think of......for a price. If you want it, you will hand over your gold, all of it, and still owe them more. Not a position you want to be in.

I have some precious metals just for the sake of having them, in a runaway inflation/depression scenario. I don't expect it to get me very much, long-term, but it is likely to give me some leverage in the immediate timeframe of the collapse. That might be all the edge I need.

[cowgirlup]

If I'd had the money and foresight to get it a while ago sure.
But not now. Maybe silver but I'll stick with useful items for now.

[Unswydd]

Originally Posted by cowgirlup

If I'd had the money and foresight to get it a while ago sure.
But not now. Maybe silver but I'll stick with useful items for now.

I'm with ya on this one. Maybe back when I had a job and things were much better for me. But as it is, useful items are all I have to barter with.

[crazydave]

well I think about how overpriced it is compared to what its true value would be if they released all the stuff thats hidden away.

we could be eating off diamond encrusted gold recyclable plates if they did. the value is its perception. in a survival situation then you would soon collect a whole heap of it if you spent the cash on trade goods.

its value was in its workability, prettiness and the fact that its inert so its pretty useless really

[kevin]

not a must have in my book. I'd have to do without even if I though it was a must have cuz I cant afford any damn gold ha ha!

[archdriver]

I just remember that in the survival packs of WWII pilots , they would include a few gold coins. It will always carry value and if you truly thought a SHTF scenario was in the cards, the high price today would be peanuts compared to the worth it would bring in a societal meltdown.

[pocomoonskyeyes]

Actually I discard the idea from personal experience. When I became homeless I had quite a bit of Silver jewelry. Every time I used it as trade/barter I lost ... big time. I never got but about half value at best. Your money IMO is better spent on Equipment or supplies. Even the Gold mentioned in the previous post, never got "Fair Trade" value for it's use. The only exception was when used as a bribe that actually saved your life.

[TaintRight]

As a core investment, I am strong on gold. But its too valuable to carry in a SHTF scenario. What are you going to do with a coin worth $1,200 or $1,400? Who is gonna make change for you?

I've opted instead for silver in my BOB. A pouch full of old dimes and quarters is perfect for a lingering SHTF scenario. The latest melt value I found for a silver dollar was $12.50. A silver half dollar was $6.00. A quarter was $2.93. A dime is worth about $1.19. My pouch holds maybe $500 worth of silver at todays exchange rate ($16.50/oz). That's a lot handier than a couple of $1,200 Krugerands or a Maple Leaf or two.

(In 1976 or 1977 I purchased a tank of gasoline in Vidallia, Ga. for 15 silver dimes.... about one dime/gallon. The Hunt brothers had tried to corner the market and had driven silver prices shy high)

I vote for silver coins.