Precious metals are useful in a TEOTWAWKI situation. Most have several of the following qualities:
o Small amounts represent significant value.
o Can withstand cold, water and fire.
o Are readily recognized for what they are. (Difficult to counterfeit).
o Have a history of being valued (improving the odds that they will continue to be in demand.)
o Do not degrade, rot, go rancid or otherwise deteriorate over time.
o Are easily stored, transported and concealed.
HOWEVER, they aren’t the only assets I’ve stocked for trading purposes. Guns, ammunition and hard liquor have many of the above as well AND one other important quality:
o They are useful for more than just money.
Some argue that money SHOULDN’T have other uses… that its value will not be stable as interest in that other use waxes and wanes. There’s something to that so, with that in mind, I recommend having some amount of all four items: Precious metals, guns, ammunition, hard liquor.
Can you think of other items that might serve well as money? In 15 years of mulling this over, I haven’t. Perhaps certain gemstones (but not diamonds.) MOST things deteriorate (coffee, seeds, medicines), are fragile (fine art, horses), are too bulky to preserve significant wealth (tractors, gasoline, radios), may not survive societal collapse (stock certificates) or are hard to transport (farmable land.)
If you’re a prepper, this question is definitely worth pondering.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 7 months ago by
Decomposed.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 7 months ago by Decomposed.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 7 months ago by Decomposed.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 7 months ago by Decomposed.