On this day in 1980, On the morning of January 21st, 1980, silver prices hit their all-time high when adjusted for inflation. This was a momentous moment for the precious metal, which had been slowly increasing in value since the mid-1970s.
What else was going on in the world: In 1980, the Mount St. Helens volcano erupted in Washington state, killing 57 people and devastating the surrounding area. It was the deadliest and most economically destructive volcanic eruption in the United States since 1915. The blast was heard as far away as Montana and Idaho,
The same year, the popular Rubik’s cube puzzle debuted at a toy fair in London. The puzzle was invented by Hungarian sculptor and professor of architecture, Ernő Rubik, in 1974. It was first sold in Hungary in 1977, but it was not until the London toy fair that it became a global phenomenon. The cube consists of six faces covered with nine stickers, each of which is one of six solid colours. The goal is to twist and turn the cube until each face has a single colour. It is one of the world’s best-selling toys and has gained a cult following around the world.
In 1980, a gallon of gasoline cost $1.19. This was significantly cheaper than the cost of gasoline today. The increase in gasoline prices is due to the rising cost of crude oil, taxes, and inflation. In addition, the increased efficiency of vehicles, along with other factors, has caused the demand for gasoline to rise, leading to higher prices.
Silver Prices: At the time, the silver price was at $50.94 per ounce, representing a nearly threefold increase from the previous year. This was the highest price for silver since it had been first used as a currency in the early 1800s. The surge in silver prices was due to a number of factors. These included the weakening of the U.S. dollar, an increase in inflation, and an influx of new investors in the metal. The weakening U.S. dollar had an enormous impact on the silver market, as the greenback was losing value relative to other currencies. This meant that silver was becoming more valuable, as its purchasing power was increasing relative to the dollar. The inflationary environment of the late 1970s also helped create a favorable atmosphere for silver investments. A number of factors, including rising energy costs, rising food prices, and a healthy job market, meant that people had more disposable income to invest in the metal. The surge in silver prices also coincided with an influx of new investors. Many individuals, including some of the world’s wealthiest people, began investing in the metal in order to protect their wealth from the effects of inflation. In the months and years that followed, silver prices gradually began to decline, eventually reaching a low of $5.31 per ounce by the end of 1985. Although the metal has since bounced back, it has yet to reach its inflation-adjusted all-time high. The surge in silver prices on January 21st, 1980, was a remarkable moment in the history of the precious metal, and one that many investors still remember fondly……..
*What are your thoughts on this event? What are your thoughts on how it affects society’s life today?