In the event of a serious catastrophe, which will cause economic collapse, precious metals will be an excellent commodity for exchange at the next stages of the economy after the collapse, when normal trade resumes. However, until this time only canned food and ammunition of common calibers will be a valuable object of barter. Their value, as always, will be determined by the free market. When the dollar finally falls, the old dollars are likely to be declared worthless and there will be a new currency, most likely tied to gold. I advise you not to buy gold, but silver coins. Gold is too compact a means of storing money, which is not very convenient for barter. To purchase 4 liters of kerosene, a box of ammunition or cans of canned beans, gold will not be the best option - how can you give change when buying, which is one-hundredth of a gold coin, with a chisel?