[quote author="freedomCM" date=1235044169]What about platinum?
When people were talking about it last month, I thought no way it would stay so low, comp to gold, so I made a fantasy trade and bought a lot (in my imagination only) at $875. I think it is about $1100 right now.
too bad I lack the balls to do it in RL</blockquote>
I was taught that platinum prices is linked to the auto industry, due to precious metal use in catalytic converters. Although there are new technologies to reduce dependence on platinum in catalytic converters, they still use them and whenever auto sales recover, so will platinum prices.
Personally, I'm not big on platinum due to its limited market. I think it'd be sensible to keep 1-2% of your assets in gold and silver, as the "last resort" to buy you passage on a boat out of the country, or carry with you to hop the border. You might not speak the language, but there will be jewelry stores that would buy your gold/silver with local currency so you can buy food and not starve.
My grandparents from dad's side fled Manchuria on foot, and was saved by gold concealed in their baggage and walking sticks. The less fortunate starved and died in the snow. Even during the chaotic times of war, people still valued and traded gold -- but I wouldn't be so sure about platinum bars.
Gold doesn't make much sense as long-term investment for profit. But it does make sense as "life insurance".