I think safe depository boxes would be a bad idea when the shit hits the fan. A better idea would be some creative masonry work.
I don't think it's going to hit THAT bad... and if I start to get that vibe, I go to the bank and get my, um.... baby pictures, yeah, from the safe deposit box.
First is owning the stuff. THEN comes "in what form", and that's what I'm trying to figure out in the next 2-3 days -- ETF, SPDR GLD, golden eagles, maple leafs, etc.
The real honest question I'm trying to figger is ETF-paper, vs physical metal.
I think you have more flexibility and options with the ETF's. You don't have to day-trade them, but you can buy low and sell high over a period of time, increasing your position with house money.
If you put a dollar into physical metals, your dollar is in it, and it flexes to the market price. If you put your dollar into ETF's, you can jump out on the highs, and re-enter on the lows, which is the trading-for-dummies theory. Over time, your dollar may be worth two dollars by pattern trading, even if gold is in the same exact position as when you started. Thus, you'd own two ounces, as opposed to the one ounce you purchased at the current price.
Eventually, when you buy the physical metal, I'd buy 1/10 rounds. Doesn't really matter which kind.
I'm pretty sure, even though I haven't honestly looked into it, you can go through the online brokers and buy like a piggy-bank with an online account. Throw a hundred bucks here, a hundred bucks there, at the low market prices, and they credit it to your holding account. When you've built up a nice position, you can hit the "gimme" button and they mail you your physical gold. Its good for people who are normal folk, to build a position. Most can't part with $900 in one shot and stick it in their sock drawer for doomsday.
Thats what I'd do. When I'm better off, thats the angle I'm gonna investigate unless I find a better one.