Yes, I agree... you shouldn't sell all your precious metal investments (hoards?) even at these prices. But when you reach a certain age and retire with no regular income from employment, it's nice to be able to convert some of your silver or gold for dollars you then immediately spend for food, clothing, shelter, casino chips and other necessities.

When the government finally wakes up to the reality that they can't afford to pay all the promised Social Security benefits that we retired folks think we are "entitled to", it is nice to be confident that you have something of value that can be used to live on.