Who the heck wants to buy a loaf of bread with a gold coin of high numismatic value? Shouldn’t ‘SHTF times’ trump ‘value of the dollar’ mentality?
I keep some pre-1933 numismatic coins so I can always engage in legitimate business above the table. I also have plenty of silver because small quantities are more convertible to the real commodities that you will need.
Tools, especially gardening tools, are a good hedge as well. Chainsaws will produce more energy than they use if you have a woodlot. Guns are, of course, necessary tools.
Recently, I've found that I seem to have enough of the things that will get me by so, as a convertible commodity I've stockpiled wine and whiskey. In addition, I have all the equipment and skills needed to make wine and beer.
In bad times, liquor will be at least as enticing as gold.
It takes little time to sell highly collectable gold coins - they sell far more quickly than bullion, and at a higher price.
Rare and high mint-state coins will retain value and could be a good store of wealth or even source of profit when things are more normal.
Keep in mind that a perfect coin which relies on condition is still relatively fragile--one scratch, and it isn't MS70 any more, and a significant portion of the value can be lost.
A battered bullion grade coin is still what it is: an ounce (or fraction or multiple) of precious metal, rated for purity by the mint which struck the coin.
If you aren't sure which way to go, split the difference and buy some trading stock: "junk silver"--circulated 90% silver coins which average about .72 ounces per dollar of face value--are already monetized, ten dimes=4 quarters=2 halves=1 (silver) dollar. Ready made small units for trade (a dime is roughly .07 ounces of silver).
Then buy some rare coins keeping in mind that the value of those rare coins is driven by two factors:
First, bullion value: an ounce is an ounce.
Second: Rarity and collector demand. Being rare is not enough, there must be a demand for the coin. Fractional Proof Platinum Eagles were minted in horribly low numbers (fewer than 15,000/issue), which makes them plenty rare enough, but without collector demand, the price will never take off--just as one example. Think about how much collector demand will be out there in a SHTF situation, and consider that far more people are familliar with the face of even a worn Morgan Dollar than will recognize a $25 platinum 1/4 ounce coin. As such, the latter may prove worthless if the person you are trading with won't take it.