[Fury]

The point is that NUMEROUS such gold-based economies have been tried over the millenia, and they ALL bump up against a recurring problem: a lack of the instant ability to meet all demands for currency.

This sounds fairly reasonable. I own silver coins, mainly because I like to collect them (Proofs and also some rolls (about 4) of Uncirculated). About the only way I see using them for my "daily commerce" is in the event of total collapse of the US economy or a war of such magnitude that we all get bombed to the Stone Age. Are these scenarios possible? Yes. Are they probable? I do not believe so.

[ScholarWarrior]

Bullets make better currency. They have appreciable value during total decay periods. So do cigarettes, but they have a shorter shelf life.

[Southack]

"About the only way I see using them for my "daily commerce" is in the event of total collapse of the US economy or a war of such magnitude that we all get bombed to the Stone Age."

If civilization turns to anarchy along the lines of the fall of the Roman empire and the beginning of the Dark Ages, am I really going to find someone stupid-enough to trade me his last food, water, guns, and bullets for a couple of useless discs of silver?

How long would such an idiot survive in such a scenario?