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Below are charts of annual silver price data and price trends over the past 20 years in various currencies including US Dollar, Euro, British Pound, Japanese Yen, Chinese yuan and Indian rupee. We have also added a 100 year silver price chart for additional context.
You can also view our silver history infographic and timeline for a complete history of this precious metal over the past 5,000 years.
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Historical silver prices in major currencies
Past market performance does not guarantee future results, but historical silver prices can be helpful in identifying past trends. While silver now trades around the clock, regional prices can be affected by exchange rates, economic policy, and local demand and supply. That’s why we offer 20-year silver price charts in most major currencies, as well as 3-year, 5-year and 10-year charts in dollars.
Historical silver prices in US dollars

Monthly silver prices from 2017 to 2020 in US dollars
The three-year chart shows how silver prices moved off 2018 lows to trail gold much higher during the 2020 COVID outbreak.

Monthly silver prices from 2015 to 2020 in US dollars
The price of silver in USD has yet to break above the $30 per troy ounce level in the past five years. Prices also did not break below $14 an ounce.

Monthly silver prices from 2010 to 2020 in US dollars
The 10-year silver price chart reveals the extent of silver’s rally to all-time highs above $40 per troy ounce in 2011.

Annual silver prices for the last 20 years in USD
Stretching the period over 20 years shows how relatively cheap the metal was before the financial crisis.

Annual trends in silver sales over the past 20 years in US dollars
Movements above and below the 0% line on the trend chart represent periods of higher volatility for silver priced in US dollars.

Average annual silver prices over the past 100 years in US dollars
The price of silver rose steadily throughout the 20th century and into the 21st century, briefly reaching peaks in 1979/1980 and 2011.
Historical silver prices in euros

Annual silver prices for the last 20 years in euros
Over 20 years, the price of silver in euros has been a little more stable than in USD.

Annual trends in silver sales for the last 20 years in euros
The price trend graph shows the evolution of silver prices in euros, compared to the previous year.
Historical silver prices in pounds sterling

Annual silver prices for the last 20 years in pounds sterling
The silver to sterling chart is a little flatter given the high sterling exchange rate.

Annual trends in silver sales over the last 20 years in pounds sterling
The Y/Y trends in the price of silver in the British pound show the same huge price jump in 2011 seen in other currencies.
Historical silver prices in Japanese yen

Annual silver prices for the last 20 years in Japanese yen
More so than the EUR and GBP, the price of silver in yen has seen a more gradual decline from all-time highs.

Annual trends in silver sales over the past 20 years in Japanese Yen
The yen was the only major currency where year-over-year silver prices did not fall below the baseline in 2009. The next price trend in 2011 was also a bit broader.
Historical silver prices in Chinese Yuan

Annual Silver Prices for the Last 20 Years in Chinese Yuan
The steeper fall in the price of silver in yuan is due in part to the currency’s greater strength over the past decade.

Annual trends in silver sales over the past 20 years in Chinese yuan
Trends in the price of silver in yuan mirror those in the dollar. This is because the Chinese government is trying to maintain a “soft” parity with the dollar.
Historical silver rates in Indian rupees

Annual Silver Prices for the Last 20 Years in Indian Rupees
The Rupee is an important currency for the price of silver, given the huge demand for precious metals in India.

Annual trends in silver sales over the past 20 years in Indian rupees
The rupee-silver charts show the same narrow spike in silver prices as the British pound.
Frequently asked questions about the price of silver
Q: What is the highest silver price in history?
The record silver price in US dollars was around $48 per troy ounce in late April and early May 2011.
However, on an inflation-adjusted basis, the peak silver price of around $30 per ounce in 1980 would equal over $100 per ounce in today’s dollars. This is the highest ever true value for money.
Q: Why did the price of silver skyrocket in 1980?
Although the price of silver rose throughout the 1970s, the 1980 spike was due to a pair of wealthy speculators, the Hunt brothers. For a brief period, they almost cornered the global silver market.
For a more detailed explanation, check out our podcast episode on how the Hunt Brothers nearly cornered the silver market.
Q: When was silver at its lowest price?
In the past 100 years, the lowest price for silver (on an inflation-adjusted basis) occurred in January 1931 during the Great Depression. The price of silver fell to just 29 cents an ounce.
However, this question is difficult to answer given that silver has been valuable for thousands of years, long before it was valued in US dollars, British pounds or any other currency that exists.
Q: Will silver go up if the dollar crashes?
Not necessarily. Unless people start using silver as currency again (and the laws are changed to reflect that), you will still need to price silver in a currency.
The advantage is that, historically, silver has shown a tendency to maintain its value relative to other assets, regardless of inflation or currency devaluation.
Q: What was the price of silver a year ago?
Last year, the price of silver averaged just above $16 an ounce. Silver opened the year at around $15.65/oz, traded as low as $14.30/oz, traded as high as $19.55/oz and closed the year just under $18/oz.
Q: Should I buy coins or silver bars?
It is a choice where both elements have their own advantages and disadvantages. Read more about silver coins vs. silver bullion to know the different advantages of these two forms of silver bullion.
Q: Who has the most money in the world?
This is difficult to know based on the disclosed positions of major investors. JP Morgan’s metals trading division often has a massive position in silver, but that doesn’t assign ownership to a single person. Warren Buffett already bought a huge amount of silver in the 1990s: in 1997 he bought more than 100 million ounces of silver, but Buffett has since liquidated his stock of bullion.
Q: What is the best silver to buy?
Yet another difficult question, as there is no single definitive answer. It all depends on your personal goals for investing in silver. Our definitive silver buying guide further explains your options when buying silver.
Related content links below:
Live Silver Spot Price Today: View live charts of real-time silver spot prices today
Current prices of all precious metals: interactive charts, including a gold price chart with real-time prices, updated every minute
The History of Money: Timeline and Infographic
What is the silver bullion? All you need to know
Silver Eagle Values - Complete Pricing Guide
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