The monetary function and investment demand for silver has been in the news quite extensively in recent months. The investment side for this precious metal of course is extremely important. However we also cannot forget the sheer importance and value that comes from the metals industrial side. This provides for newer technologies as well, according to Phil Baker President and CEO for Hecla Mining.

Recently Baker was quoted as saying that “the silver markets of today actually can be closely compared to the same markets a century ago”. At this time photography was really starting to take off and industrial silver demand was on the rise. “From the mining company’s inception in the late 1890’s through the early 1980’s silver mining had been a booming business with huge physical demands in industrial applications for the white metal. However, by the mid 1980’s and during the next twenty years the silver industry had…

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Currency has been around in various paper forms throughout societies for generations. People use it every day. But how many people really know what the difference is between paper currency and money?

Currency has been defined as a circulating medium of exchange, used as an intermediary in trade to avoid the use of a barter system. The benefits and usefulness of currencies include; being a unit of account, or standard measurement of value. Other key factors include; durability, divisibility, ease of transportation and being …

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By studying history, it is possible to learn how past civilizations have risen and fallen. Repeated mistakes have been made throughout time. These mistakes show us how monetary systems within societies have broken down and collapsed since money was first used.

The Past –

History can show us many things; let’s take the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. The Romans rose to power in 64 AD. by starting out on a solid financial footing. There was a sound money system in place. They started off using 100 percent solid gold and silver coins as a medium of exchange for goods and services. As time passed however, more and more social programs needed funding. More major government projects were taken on, along with more and more wars being fought…

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The latest analysis involving of central bank reserve managers shows a major modification within their “official” reserve holdings. It appears this major modification extends well into the next decade. The change is a deliberate increase of gold accumulation within the holdings of central banks.

Currently were already seeing central banks acquiring larger amounts of gold bullion. Gold bullion reserves that were reported have surpassed 439.7 tons last year. This is seen as the largest annual increase in nearly 50 years, which does not include any major un-reported purchases during this time. It is well-known that many central banks have snapped up tonnage when market prices are at near bottoms on market corrections...

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