I know people out there who have invested a lot in gold under the belief that in the event of like complete societal collapse or hyperinflation, they could use it for purchasing.
I have the hunch it’s a scam, but I haven’t learned enough monetary theory, business, or economics to understand why.
You’re forgetting the crows that like shiny things
Make a bunch of shiny trinkets, train a gigantic murder of crows to steal food & supplies and attack on command, profit.