Will there be a gap between a jump in precious metal prices and total SHTF?

[Jonas]

OK, here's my guess.

What you have here is a comparison between precious metals (gold and silver) and fiat currencies (paper and ink). The former have real value both historically and industrially, the latter's value comes by government decree (it's worth something because WE say it's worth something). There is a limited supply of the former, while paper, ink, and printing press time are, for all practical purposes, limitless.

Initially, when (not "if") the world's economies crash, food and barter items will initially be most in demand. As the economy "resets itself", the need for currency to promote ease of trade will reappear. At that time, gold and silver coinage will once again become a medium of trade. This "reset" could take from several months to several years.

Is it good to have a stash of gold and silver? Yes, and for several reasons. Today, a 1/10 ozt gold coin is worth approximately $130.00, or 65 loaves of bread at $2.00 each, but the coin is much easier to store, hide, and carry. In the medium to long term, this is a distinct advantage. In the short term, however, 65 loaves of bread (or the equivalent in flour) will keep your family alive.

Finally, gold and silver are not an investment per se, but rather a way to preserve purchasing power. A 1/10 ozt gold coin will, with few exceptions, buy the same amount of food, clothing, and basic necessities (both quantity and quality) that it would 100 years ago. Not much more or much less. A good rule would be to stock food, clothing, and survival gear first. Then, after that, look into gold and silver.