Fictional representations of post-crash economy?

I know there are tons of preppers hoarding junk silver and bullion to get ready for a world where paper money is useless, but I for one really don't know how that would really play out.

Does anyone know of any novels or whatnot that try and show what that sort of "economy" would look like? One where they are trading a merc dime for a loaf of bread for instance? Just wondering if a novelist or two has tried to get that to work in one of their stories.

 

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The novel I think of when I hear apocalyptic society is Parable of the Sower but I don't think she went into detail about the economy/currency.

 

I remember when you could trade a Merc dime for two sodas.

 

That's not fair Mr. Inspector, quit using your age to show your knowledge LOL

 

Towards the End of Time was a John Updike novel about a post nuke war with China. I never read it. The Road is another novel along the same lines. They made of movie of that. It was pretty depressing.

Seems like there should be some on-line games with a post crash world theme?
Bet you can find out real fast through a game like that just how many friends you'll have and for how long.

 

The one that comes to mind might be parts of the mega volume space thriller (and Amazon Prime series) "The Expanse", "The Battle For Humanity" episode. When a couple of "rocks" hit the earth, Amos and Clarise are trying to make it back to their friends and come across a prepper who messes with the wrong girl. Can't think of anyone in that situation that would trade anything edible or drinkable for your silver or gold.
The Expanse link (Spoiler Alert for those still following in real-time)

 

In video games, Fallout series is a great example.

In fallout new Vegas, economy is based around fiat paper (formerly backed in water reserves), gold, and soda pop bottle caps.

the new California republic issued paper money that used to be a solid currency as it was backed in water reserves. When the brotherhood of steel destroyed and captured much of the reserves, the formerly strong currency went the way of the Disney dollar, basically - only accepted among a select group of merchants and nowhere else.

caesars legion uses gold and silver coins and is considered a strong currency, if not widely used.

Bottle caps are used across the country and are the main source of usable cash.

 

When I was a kid I could buy a comic book, a full size can’t bar that was larger then instead of what we have today and a fountain soda. I would still get change back from my quarter.

 

Watch out, big brother is watching. George Orwell's 1984.

 

I think that silver or gold will be good to bribe people they have government ties. Like the guy that hands out food and water. they will not spend it they will stack it because all their needs are met. On the local side, it will be labor for food no silver.I know this next part is upsetting but most people can't distinguish fake from real

 

While there are a number of "dime store novels" that show using silver for trading of goods, ammo, guns, and coffee, along with medical supplies, would be the true valuables to have.
What good would having silver be in a post apocalyptic world? If you can't eat it or shoot it, it ain't worth spit.

 

Its a medium of exchange that has a perceived value. Anything could get to this level, as long as enough people feel its valuable.

That's why bottle caps became the unofficial national currency in the Fallout world - there's a finite number of them in existence, they have a perceived value, and therefore a useful medium of exchange.

 

In the Waterworld world, petroleum and water were great mediums of exchange. They are both useful, not easy to find/finite, and therefore work as currency.

 

We got into the Sat Morn Movies for 13 cents and with 12 cents you could get popcorn and a soda. 25 cents for Sat Morn.

 

Actually in ancient Egypt they couldn't eat it but it was valuable...

 

Those were the days. At the stadium, home of the Orioles and the Baltimore Colts when I was a kid, they would let me in for free and my quarter would buy a small drink and a hot dog or I could get the extra large drink. The last game I went to those extra large drinks were over $7.00.

 

I remember watching Groucho many a times on the TV, no color in those days.

 

What year was it? would be interesting to compare with inflation.

Dad used to say that when he was in ROTC in 1970 he only made $50 a month, while I made $250 stipend.
Inflation wise, $50 = $343, so he was making more than I did.

He also said he only made $1.25 an hour working at a pizza place in high school. That's about $10 today, which is about right for a fast food job today, depending on the state. More than the $8 I made, at least.

 

That would be between 1960 and 1965. We moved to the country in 1966. In 1975 I joined the Army and was paid $440 a month but that was during the Vietnam War so higher pay. In 1972 until I joined the Army I was the head brine maker in a canning factory. That’s the person that makes the water that goes in cans for vegetables. That paid me $8.00 an hour.