The obvious
thing that no one has mentioned about
Latinum is the reason that it is any more valuable than any other
substance in the
Star Trek Universe given the existence of
replicators.
As far as I remember, the whole reason that Latinum is valuable is that it cannot be replicated - something to do with it having too complex a structure.
This doesn't really make sense within the bounds of replicator function, and of course would also mean that Latinum could not be transported. Maybe someone could clear this up. Obviously hoarding a random metal is pretty pointless, even a very rare one, since what can you buy with it? But that's what the Ferengi do for fun anyway.