Off Topic, having nothing to do with the Shroud of Turin: Megan McArdle in The Atlantic:
The only scenario I can think of in which it makes sense to stockpile a lot of gold is one where you and your household goods are unexpectedly teleported into the sixteenth century. If you worry a lot about this, then by all means, stockpile gold. But you should also probably take the precaution of stockpiling antibiotics and how-to books on dentistry.
What’s a Worse Investment Than Gold? The Gold ETF! – Megan McArdle – Business – The Atlantic