Traveling Internationally with gold
Posted by Aggressive_Wrangler7@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 95 comments
After seeing the ATMs run out of cash in Spain, I started thinking about preps I could for whenever I travel internationally (which is 3-4 times per year for work). Obviously getting out cash ahead of travel is the first option.
I don't have a fully formed secondary plan at all, but I started thinking about taking gold bars with me... obviously that looks super sus, I'm pretty sure you have to declare them to customs, etc. (if someone knows more about the rules of traveling with precious metals, please share)
So am thinking about something more discreet like jewelry, but I want something I could easily break down (like a bracelet of gold coins)... will I run into the same problems as the gold bar situation?
What are y'all's thoughts? Am I headed down a really ridiculous path?
joshak3@reddit
You said your idea was inspired by ATMs running out of cash in Spain, so in that scenario, did people start paying for things with gold? I suspect not, so please consider the relative likelihoods of finding yourself in a scenario where you need to buy things with gold vs. having your luggage or other possessions lost or stolen.
Ryan_e3p@reddit
"did people start paying in gold?"
This is such a huge thing people miss. Say the US falls. S has HTF. People are still going to be using US paper currency for as long as it is in circulation, since people know how much a gallon of milk is worth. How much eggs can be. How much a packet of seeds are.
No one knows how many fractions of an ounce of gold a packet of basil seeds is worth. Even fewer have the scales, calibration equipment needed for them, or tools to sit there and accurately start slicing thin little slivers of gold off a bar. Same goes for silver. Even fewer people than that know how to actually accurately test gold for purity. If I'm selling produce or have something to barter and someone comes up to me and offers me gold for it, I'm going to make sure I rip them off since I'm not going to risk what few resources I have for something I have no idea what the real value really is.
9volts@reddit
Instead of ripping them off I'd find some other solution, since what goes around tend to come around.
Just my .02$
Ryan_e3p@reddit
They want what I have using non-standard or widely accepted currency, that's the risk they take. I'm not going to take the risk. It's my stuff. I don't have to trade it at all.
NiceGuy737@reddit
During one of the currency crises in Argentina people started cutting up jewelry for transactions. I used to read on the old goldismoney forum 20 years ago and there was an Argentinian that would join conversations and talk about what it was like there. He ended up writing a book about it.
https://ferfal.blogspot.com/2008/10/thoughts-on-urban-survival-2005.html
The relative value of items is always in flux and would vary from person to person depending on what they have and need.
If we enter hyperinflation why would anybody sell anything valuable for cash. I would have to run around to find someone that would trade something valuable for it before it became worthless. I'm a retired physician with the prepper gene. I don't need more bullets etc. I have a modest supply of drugs at home. What could you offer that would be valuable enough to trade for antibiotics when that cavity turns into a facial cellulitis? If it's not treated it's going to kill you, and it won't be fast.
Aggressive_Wrangler7@reddit (OP)
Interesting quote from what was linked:
"Since it is impossible to determine the true mineral percentage of gold, small shops and dealers will pay for it as regular jewelry gold. What I would do if I were you: Besides gold coins, buy a lot of small gold rings and other jewelry. They should be less expensive than gold coins, and if the SHTF bad, you’ll not be loosing money, selling premium quality gold coins for the price of junk gold. If I could travel back in time, I’d buy a small bag worth of gold rings."
(bold font is my own emphasis)
dittybopper_05H@reddit
Except you can tell with relatively primitive means.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touchstone_(assaying_tool)
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archimedes%27_principle
NotNowNorThen@reddit
You are right that those are primitive but still work. However, relatively few people have touchstones, and mesuring density accurately enough with archimedes principle is quite difficult on the scales that are likely to come into play should gold bartering be a thing
dittybopper_05H@reddit
There are plenty of accurate non-electronic scales out there. Believe it or not, they are still being sold.
Also, you need a graduated cylinder. And you need to know how to read it:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meniscus_(liquid)#Measurement_of_volumes
After that, it's just simple math.
Conversely, you can measure the amount of water displaced by weighing it: Having the water all the way to the top of the receptacle, then weighing the water displaced by placing the item in the receptacle, and converting that to volume.
NiceGuy737@reddit
Have you seen the movie "The Man Who Fell to Earth" with David Bowie. Early on he has a lot of gold wedding rings stored on a wire loop he uses to get currency, iirc.
Aggressive_Wrangler7@reddit (OP)
This is a very interesting perspective, thanks for sharing!
jms21y@reddit
related note: when the iraqi government was toppled in 2003, saddam banknotes were still used and circulated for a long time until new notes were produced.
HarlequinBKK@reddit
Germany (under Allied occupation) even kept using stamps with Hitler's face on them for a short time after the end of WW2.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfsK7EbP9Jk
mediocre_remnants@reddit
Yeah. Let's say ATMs run out of cash. But stores are still taking cash. Cash will be precious. And OP thinks someone is going to give up that cash for gold, which they can't spend or easily trade for cash? It makes no sense in this particular scenario.
minosi1@reddit
Oh, there will be people willing to give cash for gold. The better rate, the more will be willing. That is not the issue.
The issue is those who will be all too willing to trade some flying lead for it.
Aggressive_Wrangler7@reddit (OP)
Yes totally reasonable response! I have the cash portion covered, but I started to wonder what if this scenario lasted longer than a couple days…? What if the money I brought with me suddenly loses all its value over night and I need to pay get my way out of the country?
Noremac55@reddit
Instead of carrying coins you could always get a nice 24k bracelet or something that is hard to lose but easier to barter.
RhythmQueenTX@reddit
I like this idea too, especially if you got the weight ahead of time from the jeweler.
Aggressive_Wrangler7@reddit (OP)
Thank you, I like this idea
PermissionOk2781@reddit
That’s not going to happen in a power outage. Spain uses Euro, so the whole EU would need to fall overnight for the cash to be worthless.
WSBpeon69420@reddit
I think this sub overestimates the power and purpose of gold a lot. Mostly that anyone will want it in a real SHTF - can’t eat it can’t shoot it cant drink it etc. maybe in a crazy scenario where you have to pay off border guards or something . There’s definitely a place for it in prepping but I’m not sure this is the right one unless you find yourself in Europe during war and need to get smuggled out. Jewelry would be more effective
minosi1@reddit
You are the one underestimating. Only in movies there is a complete societal collapse when even precious metals have no value.
In actual reality the people left around after whatever it is will keep operating like a society. And a society needs a medium of value exchange.
That the OP use case is the wrong for physical gold is one thing. Holding physical gold is just not for travelling with it just for the giggles of it or using it to buy groceries. But stating gold will have little comparative value in a crisis scenario is grossly ignoring historical experience.
WSBpeon69420@reddit
I literally said there’s a place for it in prepping. There’s also levels of shit hitting the fan where it would be useful all the way down to it’s not useful at all. Currency devaluation or economic collapse and needing stuff- absolutely. Full on end of the society type scenario no end in sight i don’t see a use because people will be more worried about beans bullets and bandaids.
minosi1@reddit
Read on how it actually went, as opposed what the movies portray.
There were enough societal "collapses" across history for reference.
WSBpeon69420@reddit
At some point you can have all the gold In the world but if you can’t eat or defend yourself it won’t matter
minosi1@reddit
OK. Give me an example of such a historical event this was true on a societal level.
Not individual testimonies. A societal-level scenario that actually happened. Every single societal collapse or destruction I am aware of, the monetary metals have retained significant value. Be it in modern (Fiat) times or ancient times.
---
No, a city or country being conquered by a military force does not count. In both of those scenarios food and weapons are more liabilities than assets /for a civilian/ while liquid cash can buy one protection or escape.
WSBpeon69420@reddit
That’s a cop out question because we have never had a full on societal end of the world collapse. As I said there are levels and I didn’t say it doesn’t retain value. You’re pulling bullshit out of my comments. Have all the gold you want I don’t care
minosi1@reddit
Probably got lost along the way. I have initally reacted to this:
1) I think this sub overestimates the power and purpose of gold a lot. Mostly that anyone will want it in a real SHTF - can’t eat it can’t shoot it cant drink it etc.
2) maybe in a crazy scenario where you have to pay off border guards or something .
---
1) That "total (sudden) collapse" from your position where even precious metals are not worth a lot .. is something we have not really seen in history, at least not in the one known to me personally. Happy to be educated. So that is the actual "crazy" scenario as far as I am concerned.
2) The "need to pay off someone in physical currency and/or valuables to save one's life", which you portray as something "crazy" is actually happening right now at multiple places in the world. It is very, very real and not crazy to imagine in any way for good chuck of people. Right at this moment, no hypotheticals needed.
WSBpeon69420@reddit
You’re right! I’m talking about long term collapse where gold wouldn’t matter anymore not early stage society breakdown or initial breakdowns for war or even energy crisis. I think we were just talking about different layers. That being said en I talked about “crazy” scenario where we have to pay border guards I meant more like “that would be a crazy scenario where you’re running for the border fence at night to bribe a guard” like wow what a crazy scenario that would be- not that it’s a crazy scenario in the likeliness it would happen. You’re right- my scenario where gold is no longer required is an actually unlikely/crazy scenario and not one we have gotten to. Yours is much more likely and would be a reason to have some
Aggressive_Wrangler7@reddit (OP)
I'm kinda going for the jewelry thing, but jewelry that could be more easily broken down... idk why I thought something like that existed already, like a necklace that was meant to have small gold coins added to it so that I could easily remove part of it... or are you saying the only value in jewelry is that people would want it to remain jewelry, so I would need to be able to part with an entire bracelet, necklace, etc...?
WSBpeon69420@reddit
I think if it comes to you needing to use it someone is gonna say give me that whole thing not a piece of it. So you have to hide what you have and hide how much of it you have. Small bracelets or necklaces or rings or watches and be ready to probably give the whole thing if you need something bad
Aggressive_Wrangler7@reddit (OP)
Yes, I think I agree with that idea... rings could be a good way to go, thanks for the suggestion
hey_hey_you_you@reddit
Imagine walking into a Spar and slapping some gold bars down on the counter. Or even some 0.1oz coins. What's the kid behind the till going to do? Gnaw off a corner to get your change?
Just have some extra cash on you in the local currency. And if you're travelling to somewhere where both the digital and physical payment systems aren't working at the moment you're going, maybe just... don't?
minosi1@reddit
This.
When/if gold becomes truly useful, there is a good chance there is no Spar to go to ..
Robinly_42@reddit
I suggest carrying some usd (even if you’re not from the USA). I suspect that if you can’t find local currency in cash, someone will exchange it for you or accept them in payment for larger things. You’ll probably get a bad rate but it’s a good back up option. It’s easy to have a few 100$ bills stored somewhere as well.
Aggressive_Wrangler7@reddit (OP)
Great idea, thank you! Do you think it’s worth it to keep it in smaller bills?
minosi1@reddit
Up until the 1980s or so $100 was a lot of money ... not so anymore.
jms21y@reddit
not really. 20's and 100's circulate the easiest. this can be seen at currency exchanges; small bills don't fetch as much, as they are typically in worse shape, and take up more space in a vault or transfer bag.
T33thpaste@reddit
Depends entirely on the country, people in EU countries probably aren't going to take dollars as payment - I know for a fact they wouldn't in the UK either
This advice only really works for developing countries imho
longhairedcountryboy@reddit
Things must have really changed since I was in Europe. Every place would take US Dollars and knew exactly what they were worth. That was when the year began with 19.
sfbiker999@reddit
The only places I've seen in Europe that take USD recently are the tourists shops that have their credit card machines set up to give you the option of paying in USD instead of EUR to avoid foriegn transaction fees (but they don't mention that they give you a poor exchange rate that costs you more than most banks would charge for foreign transaction fees)
longhairedcountryboy@reddit
Paying with plastic has came a long ways since then for sure.
T33thpaste@reddit
Yes these days most places you would just get a funny look, especially since the euro came in - might be different in the non-eu eastern balkan countries but i'd be surprised
Aggressive_Wrangler7@reddit (OP)
I think a lot of people on this thread have assumed the dollar would be a useful backup, so thanks for this insight!
Rachaelmm1995@reddit
You're not going to get anywhere in the EU with USD.
Carry Euros. Even if you are in a country which have their own currency, you can still use Euros.
You can even use Euros in most North African countries. (Morocco/Egypt etc).
Euro is king over here.
BrilliantDishevelled@reddit
If ATMs run out of money, what would you exchange the gold for? If you're traveling, just use credit cards. Or get travellers checks (yes they still exist).
minosi1@reddit
When ATMs are out of money ... it is because credit cards do not work for one reason or other. People do not go "attacking" ATMs just for the fun of it.
The time of "offline" credit cards are over. 99%+ places use online terminals these days. Even if the credit card could support an offline transaction, the sellers cannot.
minosi1@reddit
First, gold is the last thing you want to "wave" at people.
For anything non-fiat and practical, you want Silver coins. In Europe and the Mediterranean region you want specifically the "Maria Theresa" Thalers.
As for ATMs though, even those are a very bad choice. Have cash. As any other person on the planet.
There is a very, very long way to go between digital Fiat being non-functional and Fiat being worthless per-se. As long as non-digital Fiat is still around, use it.
---
Above is a general comment, now a "prepping" note:
In pretty much any scenario where precious metals make for a good prep, presume that they will be made illegal to own just before they become useful, any known possession confiscated. There are so many precedents to this it is not even funny. That is why rich people kept jewellery ... it was usually exempt from confiscation orders.
Need to think like a criminal for this one ... as that is how anyone who dares not give-in monetary metals when confiscation is instituted will be treated. I.e. buying gold/silver online or even talking/posting/writing about it is about the last thing you want to do .. hell, these days, even reading and definitely searching online is a bad idea.
TheSensiblePrepper@reddit
I actually have and still do travel Internationally with Gold and Silver. So points for you to consider.
If it's Jewelry, you better be wearing it when you arrive. Not just sitting in a box in your luggage. If it is, you will be asked to provide a receipt of purchase for that Jewelry to prove you paid the taxes on it for where you bought it. If you can't prove the receipt, you're going to be told you need to pay the tax at the port of entry for the country you're entering and that could be a LOT.
My personal options are Coins. Specifically I like Canadian Maple Leaf Coins for a few reasons.
First, these coins are considered a "Fiat Currency" issued by a Government. Even though the metal they are made of is worth more than the amount stamped on it, it is illegal to "melt" currency for the metal. So the actual value is the amount stamped on the coin. So even if the gold is worth $3k USD, the coin is only technically the value of $50 CAD. So you simply declare they are currency on the form and you can easily bring in a "Mint Tube" of 25 Maple Leaf Coins at the legal declared value of $1,250 CAD. Well under the $10k USD maximum you have to start declaring. When in reality they are worth around $75,000 USD. Be ready for secondary search but if that is all you have, they can't do anything about it and they know it.
In one instance I had Customs say they are gold and worth more than the $50 a coin minted on them. I told them they are currency and I use them as such. I had some duties to pay and used one of the Gold Coins to pay those duties. I might have lost around $2,000 USD in value by doing that but it gave them absolutely nothing on me. It was worth the pissed off look on the Supervisors face when he had to let me go.
The second reason I like Canadian Maple Leaf Coins is because of their quality. They are .9999% pure, unlike most others that are only .9990% and thus many people around the World don't question them as much as others.
Finally, the ability to verify they are genuine. If you look at the Leaf side of a Maple Leaf Coin, you will see a tiny leaf in the bottom right corner. This is a security prism mark that is, to date, unable to be counterfeited. This is another reason anyone in the World won't question them when you go to sell it.
I am happy to answer any questions you might have to the best of my ability.
Aggressive_Wrangler7@reddit (OP)
This was SO helpful! And really interesting to learn about - I've never heard of this coin before, but it sounds like a really legit option and just the kind of thing I'm looking to use!
TheSensiblePrepper@reddit
Happy to help.
dittybopper_05H@reddit
The idea behind having gold, silver, and other commodities isn’t as a replacement for currency.
The idea is, because they are commodities, preserving wealth through times of inflation and hyperinflation, and as a portable form of wealth that isn’t a collection of electrons in some computer somewhere.
So if a loaf of bread costs $5 today, and we have a period of hyper inflation and in a year the price has risen to $25 a loaf, if you saved a $5 bill for that year expecting to buy a loaf of bread, you’re up a fecal brook without a propulsive device.
But if you put $5 in gold away, it will be worth $25 after that year of hyperinflation, more or less. Your wealth will be preserved.
Now, to use it you’ll have to exchange it for hyper inflated currency. So there will be some frictional loss. But it largely (if imperfectly) preserves your wealth.
Plus you can load up a car with your double eagles or Freddy Kruegerrands or whatever and drive across the country without having to go to a bank and withdraw all your cash. And it’s anonymous.
Now, having said all that, the only gold I own is my wedding ring, and whatever might be in my electronics.
Aggressive_Wrangler7@reddit (OP)
Haha thanks for the insight (and honesty lol) - I totally agree!
Thumper1k92@reddit
Yes. You're headed down a ridiculous path. But. If you're really concerned about it, wear a gold chain or other jewelry that can be swapped for a single critical service in a time of need. E.g., I need a 3 hour taxi ride across the border: hand them your ring or chain or nice watch in exchange.
Aggressive_Wrangler7@reddit (OP)
Thank you for indulging me!
EffinBob@reddit
And don't pay the ferry man before you reach the other side.
Aggressive_Wrangler7@reddit (OP)
😂
Thumper1k92@reddit
To be clear, you would overpay for something valuable now, and then overpay for a service in a time of need. No one is going to accept something that is inconvenient to then liquidate, unless it's worth a lot more than the service is worth. It would be better to just have a lot of cash
Secret-Tackle8040@reddit
This is literally what people have been using jewelry for the past several thousand years.
And yes, traveling with gold bars is a terrible idea.
Also, bitcoin.
Aggressive_Wrangler7@reddit (OP)
I think Bitcoin is a great idea that I also need to look into... I've never purchased anything with it, and don't really know what that transaction would look like... is there something I would need to buy beyond just my cell phone? I've heard words like "cold wallet" but don't really know what that means...
TexFarmer@reddit
Leagly entering or exiting the US with less than 10k of face value of US mint products (ASEs & AGEs) is no issue, BUT the departing or arriving country may have different laws.
Carloocho@reddit
Until there's near total collapse, paper and coin money will rule. But after, because gold is value heavy, you'll need a way to break it down, measure, etc to barter with. Are you buying 800 buck in groceries somewhere? Silver is smaller in value and easier to swap for cheaper stuff. Older silver coins are easily identifiable as to silver content, hence value of $3-12 a piece in melt value. Much more convenient if you ask me. In the US, "junk dimes" pre-'65 (90% silver) and quarters are easily stored, transported, and theor value assessed
intprecluse@reddit
I carry a gold or silver combicard for those just in case moments while traveling.
Aggressive_Wrangler7@reddit (OP)
Could you tell me more about what a combicard is?
intprecluse@reddit
They are precious metal “cards” made with easily divisible 1g pieces that you can break off. Do a search of it, they do have a premium charge, but for ease of use in an emergency it’s pretty great. Easily carried, hidden and used if need be.
Aggressive_Wrangler7@reddit (OP)
Bruh, this is the coolest thing ever, thank you!!! This might be exactly what I was looking for!
intprecluse@reddit
Happy to help :)
intprecluse@reddit
Lard523@reddit
It’s a better idea to take enough cash with you, in a couple currencies (eg. 500 USD and 500 EUR), and to have gold in the form of jewelry (less questionable at customs)
Bad_Corsair@reddit
No, is putting yourself at risk and unnecessary
InsaneNorseman@reddit
I work in an industry that frequently involves international travel to regions where instability is fairly common. Two things that I see relatively often in my industry:
1) Guys will usually wear a Rolex, preferably an understated model, but still a gold one. This is unironically referred to as your "plane ticket home.""
2) Many have had link-style gold chains made that have the purity and individual link weight stamped on each link. The link style and individual stamps are so that it is divisible. It's easier to break off a few links of an anchor-chain style necklace than to tear off part of a braid or Cuban style chain. They get a clasp type that can just hook to the link on the other end, so if you have to shorten the chain, you don't lose half of the clasp.
It's worth noting that in the nearly 2 decades I've been in this industry, I don't know of a single case of someone using their watch or chain to buy their way out of a bad situation, but I do know of several coworkers who have been robbed, so take that for what it's worth.
blacksmithMael@reddit
Just carry cash in the currency of the countries you are travelling to. A fair few countries use the US dollar unofficially so check beforehand if it is worth getting a stock of them.
When I used to travel regularly to Africa I kept a good supply of dollars as they tended to be preferred. I have a vague memory that you could only obtain Tanzanian shillings in Tanzania, so I stuck to USD there.
I wouldn’t rely on USD here in the UK and Europe though, I don’t know anywhere that accepts dollars.
ResponsibleBank1387@reddit
Little gold or silver chain with each link is a set weight. Problem is finding other people that will trade with. My normal is have to pack extra us $10 bills.
longhairedcountryboy@reddit
Jewelry is a good way to carry some gold. It doesn't look suspicous at borders. A necklass UNDER your shirt is always there and doesn't attract muggers.
Aggressive_Wrangler7@reddit (OP)
Yes, I agree, thank you!
SecretInvader@reddit
jewelry is fine, you could prolly even put some watches in there too. I’d recommend just bringing some USD, to be fair I think the locals COULD accept
MrHmuriy@reddit
In Spain, the blackout lasted like 24 hours. Next time, put cash in your wallet, which will be enough for even three more days
squeakyglider44@reddit
Get some recognizable watches. Wear one travel with 2-3 in the carryon. Nothing out of the ordinary but an easy way to carry around the equivalent of $
Aggressive_Wrangler7@reddit (OP)
Thank you, this is a good idea!
OnTheEdgeOfFreedom@reddit
I briefly researched this when I moved to Costa Rica. Costa Rica is actively opposing drug trafficking and they take a long hard look at money, including gold, moving into the country. I was also curious because my wife was bringing her jewelry in the move.
We put the jewelry in tin containers, the kind used for cookies, mostly so they wouldn't get crushed in our luggage. Most of it was carry-on. I figured the folk doing the checks would immediately open the luggage to see what was in the metal boxes; they didn't. (They did open the suitcase that had a whole lot of loose electronic gear and cables, and I don't blame them. TSA left a nice note in the suitcase saying I might notice things had been rearranged in the suitcase. Boy was it ever.)
I didn't bring actual gold bars or coins. Yeah they'd have noticed that, and it would have triggered a whole lot of questions, time and expense. Also, where Costa Rica has a crime problem, it's in San Jose, where I was flying to. Bringing gold in is the kind of fact that could get talked about and I didn't want to deal with that.
Basically, the only point in carrying gold across borders is so you can immediately exchange it, legitimately, after you arrive, for local currency. No local shop is going to take gold in payment, anywhere in the world that I've ever seen. Gold isn't currency, it's a store of value. It's definitely not a replacement for an ATM - keep a stack of cash at home if that's a concern.
Of interest: I've yet to see anyone wear valuable jewelry in Costa Rica. Maybe some people do in San Jose, but I never saw any. You might see an occasional cross or ring and that's it. So while I haven't checked, I'm guessing the value of my wife's jewelry took a hit when I moved here; it's clearly not a desired item. Which is fine, as she kept it for sentimental value.
Spain might be different; places vary. But ATMs rarely go down for long, and a discussion of what happens if they are down for weeks is a whole different thing.
Bottom line, move your money electronically and have cash on hand for emergencies and it's all good. Or if it's not, it's time to leave that country.
Aggressive_Wrangler7@reddit (OP)
Thank you for such a well-informed reply, it's much appreciated and a lot to think about!
Agent7619@reddit
There is zero chance that I would travel though USA C&BP or TSA checkpoints with more precious metals than could be considered "personal jewelry".
Traditional-Leader54@reddit
If you travel with anything worth more than a certain amount you have to declare it when traveling internationally. I think it’s like $500 or $1000. It’s relatively low because of import taxes and VAT.
Freebirde777@reddit
https://www.americanbullion.com/how-much-gold-can-you-travel-with/#:\~:text=How%20Much%20Gold%20Can%20You%20Declare%3F,customs%20upon%20entry%20or%20departure.
Aggressive_Wrangler7@reddit (OP)
Thank you!
Aggressive_Wrangler7@reddit (OP)
Thanks for the info!
EffinBob@reddit
And how many people in Spain were using gold in lieu of cash when the ATMs went south? What was the going rate of exchange for goods and services? How were they determining on the spot that the gold wasn't counterfeit? I'm going to go out on limb and say the answer to the first question is "none", making the rest of the questions moot.
Really, for short-term meltdowns, cash is king. For long-term meltdowns, travel is not advised. I say this as someone who has traveled the world for work, in both nice countries that have and understand rule of law and shithole warzones, often staying out of country for months and years at a time. At no time in my travels, no matter how bad things got, would gold have helped me in any way.
doomhammer33@reddit
I travel a lot for work. Unless you travel exclusively to 100% 'developed' countries I would never travel with bullion in my hand luggage - it's just asking to be stopped at every single scan and questioned. I can think of many countries I've passed through where they'd detain you just to scare you so you have to bribe your way out. It's very common, even if what you're doing is legal. As others have said, travel with USD and if you must, jewellery. No need for gold coins on bracelets, just wear a bunch of (skinny) bracelets / necklaces / rings etc that are 24 ct.
Aggressive_Wrangler7@reddit (OP)
Thank you!
McSgt@reddit
Don’t forget the efficacy of US dollars as bribes.
RlCKJAMESBlTCH@reddit
Yes
Aggressive_Wrangler7@reddit (OP)
😂 thanks
opaPac@reddit
the bartering idea is not bad in general. Also what when atms go down or whatever can happen.
The thing with gold is that ecen gold coins are in general worth way to much. You cannot barter with it during a small event. Is your plan to pay a random grocery store a gold coin for some water bottles and 2 days worth of food?
Silver would be a better option but to be honest how is a random person determ the worth of it and if its legit?
If you are really just travelling and not prepping for the end of the world then judt take more money in the local curreny with you. Especially in europe its super easy since everyone (please don‘t split hairs with switzerland or iceland) takes euros. Otherwise dollars are still an option but that might change with trump.
Aggressive_Wrangler7@reddit (OP)
Thank you, I feel like you understand the scenario I’m imagining, and you’re absolutely right about it being unreasonable to use gold in a lot of scenarios… even still I like the idea of knowing I have something of value in like a last ditch effort to get out of a country or something…
Cold-Call-8374@reddit
That is a recipe for disaster... getting your luggage stolen and probably drawing undue attention from security and customs.
Your best bet is to figure out how much money you are likely to spend two or three days abroad and carry that in cash on you. Either get it when you land or before you go in smaller denominations. Then make sure you have a couple of plastic payment options like your debit card (call your bank so they know you're going overseas) and a credit card potentially through a different carrier. Unless you are really getting out in the countryside, the odds that people won't have a credit card machine are low these days.
Have a safe trip!