Originally Posted By: MDinana
So, if we suddenly have this huge crisis that demands a precious metal based system, all the pre-1965 coins are going to be worth their face value?

No. They will be worth the value of their silver content, once their values are spread among the trading masses anyway. Current melt values of coins can be found at COINflation.com.

Originally Posted By: MDiana
Silver coins (for example, a 1 oz coin) will be worth what? Same with gold (again, 1 oz). Since silver is something like $13/oz (is this correct?), does that mean life will cruise away from a $20 bill and go towards a $13 coin?

Yes, in a major financial breakdown, things will revert to a more direct barter system, where you barter the intrinsic value of your coins for goods and services. Since Federal Reserve Notes are only paper, they will not be worth squat. The current prices of the precious metals per troy ounce can be found at Kitco.
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