I also have researched some of the systems that use precious metals as their currency of choice. James Turk runs an international bank called Gold Money. You deposit your savings and can keep them in grams of gold. Whenever paper is needed to transact a deal you simply convert and withdraw your money in the fiat of choice. The big advantage is that your savings are not eroded away due to inflation and in fact because grams of gold are a real assett you do not lose your purchasing power.

http://www.goldmoney.com/author/james-turk.html