Your Single Best Post-Doom Currency/Store of Value

BigTex

You can only pick one item to use as money in a post-doom world. What would it be? Think about it. It has to have a long shelf life, be certain to be in demand, have obvious and recognizable value, be light enough to carry around, be useful to you if you don't use it as money, and have re-sale value if the world doesn't end.

Here is my item: .223 ammunition.

What's yours?
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Smile

Revi · Fusion Joined: Apr 25, 2005 Posts: 3531 Location: Maine

I still like silver coins. They have been a currency since the beginning of civilization. They worked during the middle ages, so they'll work as a medium of exchange whatever happens.

Pre-1964 US coins are still around and have a certain value that is recognized.

I think it will be the trading unit of the 21st century.

We found a silver coin by the river and it turned out to be a Spanish Real. They were used because nobody trusted the paper money issued in the early 1800's. The US wasn't minting much silver until the Civil War, so the accepted unit of exchange was the real, minted in Mexico.

The person who lost it back in the 1820's probably was going to pay for their lunch with it.

A pre 1964 half dollar is worth $6 now. That would buy you a nice lunch at subway now.
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Deep in the mud and slime of things, even there, something sings.

Pops

I’m gonna say practical knowledge and the skills to deploy with bailing wire your knowledge of how things work.

If that counts for 2 then I’d say the ability to implement a big (or especially a small) idea is key.

There are lots of specialists around...
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Make a plan and work it:

Tyler_JC

A university degree in engineering, medicine, nursing, etc.
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"www.peakoil.com is the Myspace of the Apocalypse."

seahorse · Expert Joined: Oct 15, 2004 Posts: 2256 Location: Arkansas

The question was what would be used for money.

BigTex

Pops

patience · Expert Joined: Jan 04, 2008 Posts: 1758

There are many possible commodities that are traded as money in a broken economy, PM's, food, fire-making stuff, and ammo. I'd say 22LR might be as good a candidate as .223, maybe better because of a wider market. But I'd choose to go with Revi, for pre-1964 US silver coins, as the best of all.

NiKfUrY69

Food - everybody needs it.

If you're trading ammo, please have .22/12 ga./.30-06 please.

Thanks - NiK

kpeavey · Expert Joined: Oct 04, 2004 Posts: 1322

knives
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If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face--for ever."
-George Orwell, 1984

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Accept the Facts.

BigTex

BigTex

SpringCreekFarm · Intermediate Crude Joined: Mar 03, 2006 Posts: 949

fiedag · Tar Sands Joined: Apr 20, 2006 Posts: 34

I can't believe how selfish you survivalists are! Every man for himself seems to be your creed. People like you will be the first to fall through the cracks. It's obvious to me that the best currency in the hard times ahead will be friendships and connections.

If you are useful to others, well-liked and trusted, you are most likely to survive. Be helpful, be useful. Don't run from the world. choose your friends, and take your chances.

DomusAlbion