All that glitters...

[Snowreap]

gold isn't inherently valuable (aside from a few industrial uses) -- you can't eat it, or reasonably make clothing or a shelter out of it. the only reason people think gold is valuable is because they believe that other people will give them things for it. so it's a currency, just like paper money, only more durable (e.g. it doesn't lose value if it catches on fire).

if you're worried about a collapse of civilization, ammunition is a much better investment than gold.

-ken