Precious Metals
July 21, 2025
3 min
Precious Metals
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Which has been the better long-term performer: gold or silver? In this latest infographic, we take a look at how gold and silver have performed head-to-head over the last sixty years. It tracks the cumulative percentage growth of both metals from a 1960 baseline to the present day. Over this period, both have seen substantial long-term gains — as of July 16, 2025, gold is up +9,419% and silver is up +4,028%.
To provide deeper context, we isolate three key periods of significant upswings, noting the specific percentage gain for both gold and silver within each of these. This allows for a direct comparison of their performance during different economic environments. Each of the highlighted periods was influenced by a unique set of economic drivers that impacted precious metals markets.
The Post-Bretton Woods Upswing (c. 1971 - 1980)
This period began when U.S. President Nixon formally ended the direct convertibility of the U.S. dollar to gold in 1971. This action, known as the "Nixon Shock," allowed precious metals prices to float freely. The decade that followed was marked by persistent stagflation—a combination of high inflation and low economic growth—fueled in part by the 1970s oil shocks. Silver's particularly dramatic outperformance was amplified near the end of this period by the Hunt brothers' attempt to corner the market.
- Performance: Silver +3,600%; Gold +2,400%
- Key takeaway: Silver substantially outperformed gold during this period.
The 21st Century Secular Uptrend (c. 2001 - 2011)
This decade-long period of growth was initiated by the dot-com bust in 2000-2001. Demand for safe-haven assets accelerated significantly following the 9/11 attacks and the ensuing geopolitical instability. The final and most powerful phase of this upswing was driven by the 2008 global financial crisis and the introduction of unconventional monetary policies like Quantitative Easing (QE) by central banks.
- Performance: Silver +1,126%; Gold +660%
- Key takeaway: Silver again posted higher percentage gains than gold during this extended period of growth.
The Post-2018 Period (c. 2018 - Present)
This recent period has been shaped by a series of overlapping global events. It began with rising U.S.-China trade tensions, followed by the unprecedented global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which involved both immense monetary expansion and direct fiscal stimulus. More recently, the resurgence of consumer price inflation and significant geopolitical events like the war in Ukraine have further supported demand for precious metals.
- Performance (as of July 16, 2025): Gold +216%; Silver +176%
- Key takeaway: In a different pattern from the previous upswings, gold has been the stronger performer in this recent period.
This historical data provides context on the long-term performance trends of gold and silver, illustrating how each has behaved during different economic conditions. The information is presented for illustrative purposes and to offer a historical perspective on market movements.
Sponsored by:
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At the core of our operations is a commitment to responsible mining practices and community engagement, underscoring our approach to sustainable development. Our expertise in navigating complex geological and market conditions enables us to consistently identify and capitalize on opportunities to enhance shareholder value.
With a deep understanding of the Colombian mining landscape and a track record of successful exploration, Outcrop Silver is poised to transform the Santa Ana project into a significant silver producer, contributing positively to the local economy and setting new standards in the mining industry.
Learn more about Outcrop Silver at https://outcropsilver.com/
Disclaimer and Data Source: The data for this analysis was sourced from TradingView.com. The content of this article is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security.
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