The problem with this gold mania for those who are planning to use it (the gold) as a currency if economic Armageddon comes (whatever that is) is this...

1. Most gold ownership is not direct ownership i.e. most folks who want to own gold buy shares of mutual funds or etf's that hold gold. They don't really possess the gold, they own the rights to them.

2. You can buy gold bars (expensive) or gold coins (not as bad since you can buy them in smaller quantities- some in vending machines). However, if Armageddon comes (think natural disaster (Katrina) or economic disaster (a big bank going belly up)), your local merchant will be reluctant to accept money (or gold). He will likely insist on taking a commodity (bottled water or beer) in exchange.

3. Lastly, if you decide to sell your gold bar or gold coin, you have to get it appraised or sold to a dealer who will buy it wholesale.

In any situation, I think holding actual gold or shares of gold is a sucker's bet. Just my two cents.

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Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo