I see the real value of precious metals as being a sort of stable, portable bank account in unstable times.

In normal times, you have savings accounts, CDs, IRAs, etc 'for later'. But all those things are dependent on conditions beyond your control.

Gold, silver and platinum all retain some value. Maybe not what you paid for it (gold today: $1,794), but it still has value when the other things have lost theirs.

But you need food to stay alive long enough to use it.

Sue