Alternative to money after society collapse

Recently , I had just watch "The Colony" trailer on Astro shown on Astro TV had me left me figuring out . In the apocalypse world , what can replace our cash as currency for trade since our paper cash money will be rendered useless ?

After reviewing the new post apocalypse themed game "Metro 2033" , I might have some plausible realistic answer .




(1) Ammo

Ammo will become incredibly rare, highly desired and expensive as a firearm is only useful when loaded. Those who have weapons will need ammunition (especially military grade ammos) to stay in control; those with ammunition can control them. Even as in case of Metro 2033, the high grade military ammo become de-facto of currency means in post apocalypse Russia.




(2) Gasoline

Gasoline means easy source of fuels for combustion engines and machinery, providing heat and light against the cold winterly nights for lanterns. Those who are left out there without gasolines will probably try to covet anything that provide heat or make their motors run . Those who are in control of oil derrick will probably have an upper hands as in apocalypse time, gasolines are the much required precious commodities in most cases.




(3) Cigar


Once Dunhill , Kent , Pall Mall or Benson&Hedges all go out of productions , there are going to be a lot of post-apocalyptians with a major case of the nicotine fits. A pack of smokes may just get you / them out of sticky situations while stocks last.



(4) Spices

As old proverbs go , spices is variety of life as the spices were worth their weight and more in gold. Egyptians were buried with their spices. Roman soldiers used to be paid in salt. Trust me, once you’ve eaten nothing but moldy apples and bone marrow for a month, something along the lines of lemon grass , holy basil , pepper , garlic , coriander , turmeric and even chili is going to blow your mind.





(5) Medicine

Infection and disease are going to be the big killers after society collapses. As bacteria grow increasingly resistant and proper hygiene becomes harder to maintain, a handful of penicillin or trimethropim-sulfamethoxazole is going to be a great advantage. In summary, any medicines that would help to alleviate pain, suppress symptoms for minor sickness or ailments and bandages wound are very much going to be appreciated in apocalypse. 



(6) Knowledge and Skills

The most valuable items you have to trade are your abilities. Being able to fix small motors, starting fires, navigate using the stars, operate radios, self defense skills or even knowing how to create and use simple machines from out of ordinary items (a.k.a McGyver ) will give you an edge. But the skills of literature , music is maybe won't be much appreciated.


(7) Solar panels
In apocalyptic world , electricity and energy is hard to come by as the power grid is probably unfunction anymore. Therefore, we need sustainable and renewable energy source as electricity as the sun is a good primary source of energy in the daylight. Plus, the good quality solar panels are made to be last under extreme variant weather and made to last usually for years.




(8) Tools
In rebuilding society , tools are a must have . Early caveman also build their society using simple tools from stick and stones but in apocalyptic world, a mint condition tools would be hard to come by. Simple tools such as axe , hammers , nails and such are good enough to build up / repair anything.

Therefore , if you have any items of above during nationwide crisis , you are damn have a trump card on your side and pretty much have vote power in the colony .But as with most kind of other stuffs, they tends to disappear more faster than you can ever imagined

(P.S : The Colony will premier on Discovery Channel 551 on Astro Malaysia this April 7 , 9pm
and Metro 2033 rocks . . . )