My husband is a metalsmith, although it is a hobby, these days, and we have been out of the business as such for 13 years.
We have fine silver, sterling and 18kt/24kt from back then. We were discussing just how gold would be used in the event of TEOTWAWKI. We think people will want gold melted down and tested or alloyed for karat. Same for silver, tested and alloyed for percentage of silver. Some people will want to produce their own local coinage. Some will want their old jewelry refashioned, because life will go on, gifts will be given, marriages will take place and some folks will decide to wear their hoard.
Keep some aside, when scrapping.
What is the dwt price, these days? I recall in the 1980s, with $800 gold, the scrap price was $9/dwt for pure. We paid $5-$7 per troy oz from the supplier for fine silver back then.
We think people will want gold melted down and tested or alloyed for karat.