During the 1970's, the U.S. experienced a decade of below-trend economic growth combined with rising interest rates – and eventually – massively higher gold and silver prices.
Some sectors boomed while others lagged, and then as now, the majority of the population struggled with rising home and commodity prices, bookmarked by lofty interest rates.
This stilted and challenging environment, which came to be called
stagflation, eventually drove the more perceptive people into gold and silver.
The result?
Gold, having been freed from its long-term tether of $35, first rose to $200, then dropped to $100 before rocketing to an all-time nominal high of $850.
As per usual on a percentage basis, silver rose even more, topping out at $50 the ounce.