Is Silver actually more valuable to humans than Gold?

[FAT SEXY]

I've always heard that it has more practical applications...

..maybe I should have asked "Is silver more important to humans than Gold?"

 

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[Red-Coat]

Certainly it's more useful/important from an industrial standpoint. Only about 12% of the world's gold output currently goes to industrial applications, versus more than half the world's silver output. That's even allowing for the fact that one of its major uses has dropped dramatically. The photographic industry (with Kodak at the top of the league table) used to be the world's largest user of silver in the days before digital imaging began displacing conventional film.

 

[ToddsPoint]

During the late 1800's when we were trading with China they preferred silver to gold. I don't know if they still do. Gary

 

[islamoradamark]

I got a couple of crowns in gold in my molars, when gold was cheaper 15 to 20 years ago. It was cheaper than porcelain glad I did it adds a little sparkle to my smile in da back and now I look at it as an investment. When I get real old and my teeff fall out I will be able to have a few bucks extra to spend. I like gold thats all I think about when metal detecting

 

[sunshinebrazil5679]

I think the gold is more valuable. But the silver has many applications in several areas of the industries, more than the gold.

 

[fistfulladirt]

I got a couple of crowns in gold in my molars, when gold was cheaper 15 to 20 years ago. It was cheaper than porcelain glad I did it adds a little sparkle to my smile in da back and now I look at it as an investment. When I get real old and my teeff fall out I will be able to have a few bucks extra to spend. I like gold thats all I think about when metal detecting

Yep I have a couple also. Usually lower carat for wear, my LCS was paying about $20 for a crown.

 

[Trezurehunter]

It is to me. My dad taught me how to start buying silver when I was 14 years old. Gold was more expensive and I really couldn't afford it (or I thought I was getting more for my money with silver). Now, that I am much older (kids grown and gone, and have 3 grandchildren) I can afford gold, but still opt for the silver. It just has some sort of effect on me. I love to see it in my safe, and know that I have it.

 

[Madmox]

I’m not sure I agree with the sentiment that silver has more industrial application than gold... look at the semiconductor industry. More silver may be used more not because it’s more useful, but because it’s more economical. The cost-benefit doesn’t pan out (see what I did there) haha.

 

[Kray Gelder]

I got a couple of crowns in gold in my molars, when gold was cheaper 15 to 20 years ago. It was cheaper than porcelain glad I did it adds a little sparkle to my smile in da back and now I look at it as an investment. When I get real old and my teeff fall out I will be able to have a few bucks extra to spend. I like gold thats all I think about when metal detecting

I've cashed in two crowns for 30ish dollars each. I have one more, that I should cash in. A few more still hanging in there ( back in the day, my wife and I had double coverage insurance, that actually split the cost. That's a distant dream ).

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Silver is used as much in electronics anymore as gold is. Gold is great for contacts as it does not tarnish/oxidize. But in micro solid state circuits not exposed to air/oxygen - silver is a better conductor. It's used in flat-screens, flexible screens, touch screens and to coat CDs. Also in batteries and solar-cells.

I have a gold crown and it took me 20 minutes to convince my dentist I was serious. It's my one "bad boy" feature. Next behind my upper right canine so I can flash in when I snarl. "Arrrrrr"

 

[relicmeister]

During the late 1800's when we were trading with China they preferred silver to gold. I don't know if they still do. Gary

No now it’s US intellectual property

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

"More valuable to humans . . ."

Which is more valuable? An ounce of silver or two $20 bills? The currency has value because society agrees that it does. But then . . . silver is inedible and just a somewhat useful metal. Steel makes better knives. It's just a convenient and somewhat rare metal that could be used in exchange for bulky or perishible goods too inconvenient to barter around.

And it depends on the circumstances. Which is more valuable?. A quart of water after fours days with no water or an ounce of silver or $40 in currency.

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

Supply and demand.

 

[Honest Samuel]

I am happy to find millions of dollars of each.

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

Silver is used as much in electronics anymore as gold is. Gold is great for contacts as it does not tarnish/oxidize. But in micro solid state circuits not exposed to air/oxygen - silver is a better conductor. It's used in flat-screens, flexible screens, touch screens and to coat CDs. Also in batteries and solar-cells.

I have a gold crown and it took me 20 minutes to convince my dentist I was serious. It's my one "bad boy" feature. Next behind my upper right canine so I can flash in when I snarl. "Arrrrrr"

Had a neighbor once that had two front teeth that were solid gold. I couldn't keep from looking at them when we were talking.

 

[U.B.]

Had a neighbor once that had two front teeth that were solid gold. I couldn't keep from looking at them when we were talking.

Ernest T. Bass wanted to have both front teeth knocked out, and have 1 gold tooth put in the middle; so that Romena would think him handsome.

 

[Plumbata]

Yes, Silver is more useful than Gold. Aside from unparalleled electrical conductivity it is the most thermally conductive and reflective metal as well. It has countless technological applications as well as being critical in the best most efficient and durable batteries. It's always been my absolute favorite metal too, not that I'm biased or anything

Current mined ratio is 1 ounce of gold to just under 8 ounces of silver, with total mined refined silver reserves not already used up in electronics and industry representing at most only around 4.5oz Ag per 1 ounce of gold in those same forms, perhaps a bit less since the world has squandered and dumped the vast majority ever mined. Gold just gets secreted away in vaults and could actually be more plentiful than official stated reserves (I doubt China or Russia or ancient rich dynastic families are transparent about the extent of their holdings)

Gold is valuable because of its historical monetary applications and its beauty. Silver is valuable because of its historical monetary applications, its beauty, AND because it is the most superior substance known to man for thousands of critical 21st century applications and thus is a strategic metal of the highest importance as well as industrial and monetary metal.

At the current GSR of 1:78, Silver by any objective metric is seriously undervalued and in practical terms is more important than gold.

The inevitable supply bottleneck for Silver will send prices soaring even without the global fiat currency death spiral spurring increased investment in safe haven assets. I'm basically all-in on Silver and junior mining stocks as I'm certain it will outperform gold by miles this decade while most other assets get brutal buzzcuts.

 

[boogeyman]

I am happy to find millions of dollars of each.

Jeeze............. I hope to god you paid the taxes on all that! Or off to the slammer you go! With your luck they'll send you to one of those horrible prisions in the great state of Conneticut!

 

[Xraywolf]

People buy and stock precious metal for 2 reasons - Investment, and against a day when the SHTF and we are reduced to bartering for survival.

You obviously get a far greater return [and also stand to lose much more] with gold. But for a SHTF scenario, I think silver would be far, far more useful. What do you do when you want to barter for a loaf of bread, a gold piece is way too much, but a couple silver dollars [or half a role of dimes] might be just the ticket. Now if you are bartering for pallets of items then gold would do fine - Ideally, I think it would be ideal to have some of both.

 

[fistfulladirt]

People buy and stock precious metal for 2 reasons - Investment, and against a day when the SHTF and we are reduced to bartering for survival.

You obviously get a far greater return [and also stand to lose much more] with gold. But for a SHTF scenario, I think silver would be far, far more useful. What do you do when you want to barter for a loaf of bread, a gold piece is way too much, but a couple silver dollars [or half a role of dimes] might be just the ticket. Now if you are bartering for pallets of items then gold would do fine - Ideally, I think it would be ideal to have some of both.

Not so much an investment, but insurance. Not for SHTF, somewhat useless. A vehicle to carry wealth through bad times. Very few people hold PM’s so I really doubt they will be of much use for barter. Who is going to want shiny metals when their stomach is talking? Food and water will be priority number one. Perhaps I would trade a loaf of bread for a 6-pack of Bic lighters but I won’t have much use for a couple silver dimes.