[TigerLikesRooster]

If you are in Northern Iraq or Syria, it will be useful. With central authorities broken down, it will be like a Medieval society with many fiefdoms. In such a condition, transaction using precious metals is commonplace.

It is the same when war broke out and your house was destroyed. Carrying cash can be even bulky. Precious metals come in handy. People mentioned in the article do not buy them as investment items. It is basically a high denomination cash which is universally accepted. It will be accepted in Korea, Japan, Vietnam, China, and India.

I don't know where you live, but it is accepted in vast majority of the world.

[ASA Vet]

which is universally accepted

I won't accept your gold in barter for food or anything else of survival value.