There are two problems with precious metals as a commodity:
1. A lot of people buy gold "stocks". Paper gold isn't gold.
2. If the currency system were to completely collapse, precious metals are worth whatever producers want them to be. You can't eat gold or silver. You can eat wheat, though.
I think buying it as an investment can be a good idea, if you anticipate a weakening of the economy (Thus raising the value of the commodity), but as a means of survival, I question it. A lot of the people purchasing it do it on basis of emotion (Fear). Investing into emotions isn't a stable plan. Plus, a farmer who has wheat, or a mechanic who has skills, will have more wealth.
Just my $0.02
matador: "If you're alive, thank a farmer."
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