Physical alternatives to precious metals?
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Re: Physical alternatives to precious metals?
I think you will find that gold has the best tradeoff between convenience, spread between buy and sell, ease of storage, track record of keeping value through disasters, and all the other reasons to own tangibles.
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Re: Physical alternatives to precious metals?
A basic question. Two of the reasons for holding physical gold is that it will hold some value in a catastrophe and it will allow me to purchase some goods and services in a time of crisis. However, if everyone has lost nearly everything, what will I be able to buy with a $1000 gold piece - food, fuel, energy? It seems to me that one would want to hold a smaller valued item to enable barter and exchange. Thus, nickels sound reasonable for a small percentage of one's holding?
Re: Physical alternatives to precious metals?
Another suggestion is purchasing pre-1965 Quarters and Dimes due to the 90% silver amount in each of them. These would be much easier for paying for things. For instance, a pre-1965 Dime is worth around $1.09 based on current silver and copper prices.Longstreet wrote: A basic question. Two of the reasons for holding physical gold is that it will hold some value in a catastrophe and it will allow me to purchase some goods and services in a time of crisis. However, if everyone has lost nearly everything, what will I be able to buy with a $1000 gold piece - food, fuel, energy? It seems to me that one would want to hold a smaller valued item to enable barter and exchange. Thus, nickels sound reasonable for a small percentage of one's holding?
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Re: Physical alternatives to precious metals?
Why not just hold 1/20 ounce gold coins?Longstreet wrote: A basic question. Two of the reasons for holding physical gold is that it will hold some value in a catastrophe and it will allow me to purchase some goods and services in a time of crisis. However, if everyone has lost nearly everything, what will I be able to buy with a $1000 gold piece - food, fuel, energy? It seems to me that one would want to hold a smaller valued item to enable barter and exchange. Thus, nickels sound reasonable for a small percentage of one's holding?
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Re: Physical alternatives to precious metals?
Purchasing some goods and services is the last thing you want attempt in a time of crisis. If you get desperate enough to, then having denominations that are too large would be the least of your worries...Longstreet wrote: A basic question. Two of the reasons for holding physical gold is that it will hold some value in a catastrophe and it will allow me to purchase some goods and services in a time of crisis. However, if everyone has lost nearly everything, what will I be able to buy with a $1000 gold piece - food, fuel, energy? It seems to me that one would want to hold a smaller valued item to enable barter and exchange. Thus, nickels sound reasonable for a small percentage of one's holding?
In a world of ever-increasing financial intangibility and government imposition, I tend to expect otherwise.
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Re: Physical alternatives to precious metals?
HB recommended junk silver for that eventuality.Longstreet wrote: A basic question. Two of the reasons for holding physical gold is that it will hold some value in a catastrophe and it will allow me to purchase some goods and services in a time of crisis. However, if everyone has lost nearly everything, what will I be able to buy with a $1000 gold piece - food, fuel, energy? It seems to me that one would want to hold a smaller valued item to enable barter and exchange. Thus, nickels sound reasonable for a small percentage of one's holding?
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Re: Physical alternatives to precious metals?
Still seems like 1/20 gold maples or gold eagles would be a better option...you get small amounts + highest assurance that it will be recognized as valuable. You go around after the apocalypse with a bunch junk grey matter that looks sorta like silver, who knows what will happen...it's not like you can expect ever barterer to carry metal testing kits.Libertarian666 wrote:HB recommended junk silver for that eventuality.Longstreet wrote: A basic question. Two of the reasons for holding physical gold is that it will hold some value in a catastrophe and it will allow me to purchase some goods and services in a time of crisis. However, if everyone has lost nearly everything, what will I be able to buy with a $1000 gold piece - food, fuel, energy? It seems to me that one would want to hold a smaller valued item to enable barter and exchange. Thus, nickels sound reasonable for a small percentage of one's holding?
Re: Physical alternatives to precious metals?
It's actually pretty easy to tell the difference between a 90% silver coin and a fake. For one approach see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvmfTApZZsMSam Brazil wrote: Still seems like 1/20 gold maples or gold eagles would be a better option...you get small amounts + highest assurance that it will be recognized as valuable. You go around after the apocalypse with a bunch junk grey matter that looks sorta like silver, who knows what will happen...it's not like you can expect ever barterer to carry metal testing kits.
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Re: Physical alternatives to precious metals?
Cool! I'm glad I saved my baby teeth and wisdom teeth!fishdrzig wrote: Pull and save as many of your kids primary teeth for future stem cell research auctions.
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Disclaimer: I am not a broker, dealer, investment advisor, physician, theologian or prophet. I should not be considered as legally permitted to render such advice!
Disclaimer: I am not a broker, dealer, investment advisor, physician, theologian or prophet. I should not be considered as legally permitted to render such advice!