They usually are in times of crisis/panic.

Some people prefer to hoard silver/gold for a time of crisis, and some people prefer to hoard other items (food/alcohol/tobacco/ammo/etc.).

There are 3 possible scenarios:


1. This blows over in 2-8 weeks (or pick a timeframe) and society starts rebuilding back to the way things were.

2. This persists over a long extended period of time and society completely collapses.

3. This lasts <insert time frame here> and society is forever changed, although still quasi-functional, it may never regain it's former status.


Then ask yourself in which of those 3 scenarios will gold/silver be a lot more wanted than it is right now?...in other words will the demand be greater than other things people need/want?