You have a point on silver verses gold ...
Silver is bulkier for holding a lot of value - but is available in smaller denominations (ie. smaller chuncks of change).
It also has more commercial applications than gold, and is a MUCH stronger metal.
It is easier to counterfeit silver coins than gold (specific gravity much lower - gets expensive to get the specific gravity up high enough to pass for gold.)
Coins don't burn ... and if they do, ain't gonna be much left of anything else. *s*
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good ...