Gold has value because it does not corrode or oxidize. So it can be used for fine wires inside chips and between computer chips.

Ammo has value because it can save your life. Body armor — same reason.

Cigarettes and vodka can be traded for labor or for food.

Silver is used in bearings — it self-lubricates.

Copper can be used for wires.

Rhenium for jet turbine blades.

Europium for digital signatures using fluorescent light.

Osmium as an alloy metal, and as a shiny plating metal.

Books can have value as guides to conduct — e.g. Bible — 6th Commandment.

Poetry can have value as a guide to higher thoughts.

MI-6 dagger can have value for dealing with blithering Imbecile (who got elected).

Caesar killed 1000 people, got 12 daggers.

Imbecile killed or harmed 150 million people, got not one single dagger.

Fate is fickle. Not consistent.