Phat writes:
It is a bit of both, Taq. Gold and Silver will always have an intrinsic value.
They don't have an intrinsic value. The only reason they do have value is people are willing to trade them for dollars. They are as much of a fiat currency as any other. What other function do those metals have outside of trading for currency? If silver was only sold for its use in photographic film, what would its price be? If gold were only traded for its use in products, what would its price be?
In fact, stocks have more intrinsic value than gold or silver. Business still produce things, but gold and silver do not. What does a gold bar do for you? Does it mow your lawn? Does it make cars? Is it used to build houses? What does it do, other than sit there?
It is a bit of both, Taq. Gold and Silver will always have an intrinsic value. The manipulators can never take away the value. They can, however, hold the price down and discourage the general public from investing in the metals as they would, say, Bitcoin.
You keep saying that, but offer no evidence that this is actually the case. You even make the contradictory statement that they restrict supply which increases prices.