Kerry Kraker, 56, has worked in kitchens all his life. Since March he's spent around $100 a week — half his spare cash — on silver coins. He's part of a growing social media movement who say they are buying bars and coins for protection from a coming age of inflation.

Thanks to a community of like-minded silver "stackers" gathering on social media platform Reddit Inc., Seattle-based Kraker says he also feels empowered.

"They are so encouraging and so convinced in the changes they can cause," said Kraker, who lost his home in the financial crisis.