Let's say people suddenly start exchanging goods and services using gold... how do you deal with gold bars and such?you'd have to break'em into little pieces... ...

What, you mean like . . . . COINS?

I'm no expert

Really?

Let's say the local currency collapses, who will buy your gold and to do what?

When a currency collapses in a hyperinflation it is replaced by a new or different currency for which tangible goods and services are exchanged. Gold etc, serve to preserve wealth during the transition.

However in a deflationary burst currency disappears and is hoarded as debt is repaid or defaulted on and nominal asset values fall, along with incomes.

Either outcome is possible as they are both driven by political policies.

Gold is a hedge against money printing/currency debasement if it really gets out of control, a better hedge in inflation as opposed to deflation as ageneral rule but we do live in intersting times.

Except that gold was totally useless against inflation between 1980 and 2005 and it has done nothing against the money printing since it hit $1930, but don't let a few inconvenient facts put you off the golden lah-lah land story.