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ThinkInsane · Jun 19, 2007, 03:06 PM

When I was a kid, my grandfather always had gold. His theory was that whatever happened, gold would always be money. That always stuck in my head and probably had something to do with me investing in gold. Sometimes I buy bars, but mostly I just buy coins (I buy silver and platinum as well). Not only are they an investment, but each coin is a work of art. These coins truly are beautiful. Outside of their monetary value, I just really enjoy having them.

So I went to the U.S. Mint site to get a couple of half-ounce Martha Washintons and a couple of of American Eagles. Then I thought I might as well go over to the Royal Canadian Mint and order a few gold wolves and Louis' as long as I was at it. In the post-apocalyptic world, different denominations will be useful, right? Plus they're pretty nifty! And what did I find there?

100 kgs of .9999 pure gold with a face value of $1,000,000 . How would you like to try and lug that thing to the store for milk and bread? You crazy Canadians with your manhole cover size coins (okay, maybe not quite that big). Well done! It's gorgeous. Next time I'm in Ottawa I'll have to go to the mint to see if they have one on display. I would love to actually see this coin in person.

Doofy · Jun 19, 2007, 03:12 PM

Doof public service announcement:

If you're hedging, go gold.

If you're planning for the arockalypse, go silver. Kind of hard to get change for a gold ounce when you're buying the groceries.

nonhuman · Jun 19, 2007, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

Doof public service announcement:

If you're hedging, go gold.

If you're planning for the arockalypse, go silver. Kind of hard to get change for a gold ounce when you're buying the groceries.

Why wouldn't you get the change in silver? Or copper or something?

Doofy · Jun 19, 2007, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by nonhuman

Why wouldn't you get the change in silver? Or copper or something?

They might not have it.

You buy $7 worth of groceries. What do you want to lose when they can't give you change? $4 worth of silver or $650 worth of gold?

Dakarʒ · Jun 19, 2007, 03:18 PM

I forgot my gold conversion charts in my DM Handbook.

ThinkInsane · Jun 19, 2007, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

Doof public service announcement:

If you're hedging, go gold.

If you're planning for the arockalypse, go silver. Kind of hard to get change for a gold ounce when you're buying the groceries.

That's what those 1/25 oz. wolf coins are for

. Well, that and the fact that I dig wolves. I also have plenty of silver, just in case.

nonhuman · Jun 19, 2007, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by Doofy

They might not have it.

You buy $7 worth of groceries. What do you want to lose when they can't give you change? $4 worth of silver or $650 worth of gold?

The cashier's jugular?

This is post-apocalypse, no?

Doofy · Jun 19, 2007, 03:22 PM

There's also the point that there's something about gold which drives men insane with metal lust. Doesn't quite happen the same way with silver, rendering it safer for use when amongst the mutants and zombies.

Peter · Jun 19, 2007, 03:26 PM

damn Doof you're good.

Doofy · Jun 19, 2007, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by Peter

damn Doof you're good.

There you go again with your British tendency towards understatement.

Anyways. Back on topic. That's a huge-ass coin!

Sherman Homan · Jun 19, 2007, 04:38 PM

100 kgs of .9999 pure gold with a face value of $1,000,000 . How would you like to try and lug that thing to the store for milk and bread?

That is why I have my valet carry it for me...

Rumor · Jun 19, 2007, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

I forgot my gold conversion charts in my DM Handbook.

Make sure that's the 3.5 Edition Ruleset otherwise it could be obsolete.

MallyMal · Jun 19, 2007, 05:02 PM

Trade ya...

kmkkid · Jun 19, 2007, 05:07 PM

The real money is in seeds and bulbs if you're thinking apocalypse. And livestock of course.

Timo · Jun 19, 2007, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by Dakarʒ

I forgot my gold conversion charts in my DM Handbook.

bravo

ebuddy · Jun 19, 2007, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by kmkkid

The real money is in seeds and bulbs if you're thinking apocalypse. And livestock of course.

I'm kinda thinkin' the same thing. Maybe somebody who knows more about this can explain something to me. I think I'm missing something real basic here, but I can't think of what it could be. If the shxx hits the fan and I mean in a big way, what the heck is gold going to do for you? Who's going to care about gold? Who's going to exchange it? Wouldn't it be just a useless piece of metal at that point?

Doofy · Jun 19, 2007, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by ebuddy

I think I'm missing something real basic here, but I can't think of what it could be. If the shxx hits the fan and I mean in a big way, what the heck is gold going to do for you? Who's going to care about gold? Who's going to exchange it? Wouldn't it be just a useless piece of metal at that point?

Assayed metal will always have a value as a unit of currency. With the gold and silver currently on sale, you can see that it's a specific weight and purity, therefore has a tangible value.

When the soft brown stuff hits the spinning thing, you'll immediately need food (and therefore seeds and stuff). But as society rebuilds, the most universal currency (which doesn't need to be backed by any government for it to have value) will be precious metals.

ThinkInsane · Jun 19, 2007, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by ebuddy

I'm kinda thinkin' the same thing. Maybe somebody who knows more about this can explain something to me. I think I'm missing something real basic here, but I can't think of what it could be. If the shxx hits the fan and I mean in a big way, what the heck is gold going to do for you? Who's going to care about gold? Who's going to exchange it? Wouldn't it be just a useless piece of metal at that point?

I was kidding about the post-apocalypse thing. I think what gramps was talking about was more along the lines of economic collapse. A new Great Depression or that sort of thing. Doofy is right about the value of metals. Precious medals have been used as currency thousands of years. I have no reason to believe that is going to change any time soon.

If it comes to zombies or mutants, I'd be far more likely to grab my bug out pack, weapons and ammo than I would be to start lugging all that gold and silver.

Doofy · Jun 19, 2007, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by ThinkInsane

If it comes to zombies or mutants, I'd be far more likely to grab my bug out pack, weapons and ammo than I would be to start lugging all that gold and silver.

Mutant wolves, ammo, silver... ...you know what to do.

Sherman Homan · Jun 19, 2007, 08:10 PM

If it comes to zombies or mutants, I'd be far more likely to grab my bug out pack, weapons and ammo than I would be to start lugging all that gold and silver.

I agree, lead will be worth more than gold.

zro · Jun 19, 2007, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by kmkkid

The real money is in seeds and bulbs if you're thinking apocalypse. And livestock of course.

I read this as "seeds and bullets." Made plenty of sense, too.

Mastrap · Jun 19, 2007, 08:47 PM

The real money (post apocalypse) is in land, clean water and energy. Land to feed you and energy to keep you warm and connected. We own a property in rural Ontario where most of our neighbours are Old Order Mennonites. They're used to living without electricity or gas, so they make good neighbours should the **** really hit the fan.

When we bought the property I made sure it had a: access to clean water b: could accommodate solar and wind power installations and c: was large enough to feed a family.

Eug · Jun 20, 2007, 07:50 PM

As of May, at least 3 had been ordered.

SpaceMonkey · Jun 20, 2007, 11:24 PM

I'm pretty sure Canadian currrency will still be worthless in the apocalypse, even if it's gold.

[/snark]

macfantn · Jun 21, 2007, 01:00 AM

gold I love gooooooooooold

Eug · Jun 21, 2007, 07:43 AM

Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey

I'm pretty sure Canadian currrency will still be worthless in the apocalypse, even if it's gold.

[/snark]

The ironic part is $1 CAD is currently worth 93.7¢ US. ie. If the CAD$ is worthless now, so is the US$.

Ol' Stevie seems to agree. I believe he commented on it once on behalf of Apple and its computer pricing.

SpaceMonkey · Jun 21, 2007, 07:51 AM

Originally Posted by Eug

The ironic part is $1 CAD is currently worth 93.7¢ US. ie. If the CAD$ is worthless now, so is the US$.

Ol' Stevie seems to agree. I believe he commented on it once on behalf of Apple and its computer pricing.

And yet the vending machine in my office still won't take the odd Canadian quarter.

Eug · Jun 21, 2007, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey

And yet the vending machine in my office still won't take the odd Canadian quarter.

The one at mine won't take American quarters. So there.

SpaceMonkey · Jun 21, 2007, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by Eug

The one at mine won't take American quarters. So there.

Alls I'm sayin' is, if you are hoarding gold to prepare for the apocalypse, better plan to get your Cheetos elsewhere.