13 Stunning Visualizations of Silver Put Global Debt Into Perspective
by Visual Capitalist, via Silver Seek:
Although gold has a bigger reputation today as a monetary metal, it was often deemed too valuable for everyday transactions throughout history.
For the most part, common people in places like Ancient Rome used silver to buy daily staples like grain or wine. As a result, silver has a strong reputation through monetary history as the “people’s money”.
Even today, silver is still much more widely accessible. With one ounce of gold being 70x more expensive than an ounce of silver, it’s difficult for someone who is just starting to accumulate wealth to own gold.
Visualizing Silver
What do savings and debt look like, using the “people’s money”?
Below is everything from the average paycheck to global sovereign debt visualized as silver cubes.
1. A median U.S. family brings in $2,355 per pay period (semi-monthly) pre-tax.
2. However, the median American family only has about $5,000 of savings.
3. The standard silver delivery bar holds 1,000 oz of silver.
4. Average household debt is $98,312, with mortgage debt being the primary component.
5. A Lamborghini worth over $400,000 needs a silver cube with 16-inch (0.4m) sides.
6. Using a silver price of about $18/oz, here’s what $1 million looks like.
