I found this on another discussion forum. I thought it was very wise:


You make some good points.  For folks of modest means it is better to stock up on those items you suggested. [food, supplies, practical items --moderator]  However it is appropriate (even advisable), in my opinion, for those of some what greater wealth to purchase silver coins and for those of even greater wealth to purchase gold coins.  Those who purchase gold and silver coins do not do so in the hope of garnering "a reasonable rate of return over time", but to merely preserve what wealth they may possess for the ravages of currency devaluation, inflation.  To think that gold and silver coins will be worthless is to put oneself on the wrong side of the history of commerce (trade, barter).  Gold and silver are the historically money for a reason.  The choice of gold and silver over all other commodities as money was organic and grew out of man's need for a universal medium of exchange.  A universal medium of exchange is only necessary when folks have a surplus of goods to trade.  A universal medium of exchange eliminates the need for every trade to have perfect coincidence (you have eggs in abundance that I need and I have firewood in abundance that you need).  Assuming whatever disaster the future may hold does not throw us back into the stone age, some folks will manage to have a surplus (abundance) of goods beyond bare necessity to trade.  In this case a universal medium of exchange (gold or silver coins) will be necessary.

"maintaining access to the Sacraments would be higher on my list than precious metals"  
If I could only have one item on my list this would be it, but this is not the case for most of us, at this time.  Saving you soul is you highest duty, but not your only duty.

Ed Waggoner Sr.