Precious metal

A precious metal is a rare, naturally occurring metallic chemical element of high economic value. Chemically, the precious metals are less reactive than most elements, have high luster, are softer or more ductile, and have higher melting points than other metals. Historically, precious metals were important as currency but are now regarded mainly as investment and industrial commodities; to the extent they are used in coins it is done so for numismatic (coin collector) purposes.

The most commonly known precious metals (used in investments) are gold, silver, and platinum, but ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium and rhenium are also considered precious metals.

## See also[edit]

* Gold and Silver
* Gold standard
* Fiat currency

v • d • e

Economic Preparedness

Economic preparedness|

Savings • Fiscal conservatism

Economic collapse|

Inflation \- Agflation • Deflation • Stagflation • Hyperinflation • Zimbabwe • Weimar Republic • Argentina • Bank run

Economic history|

American economic history • Recession •Recovery Summer 2010 • Quantitative easing • American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 • Economic stimulus• Recession of 2008 • Financial Crisis of 2008 • Great Depression • Black Tuesday • Stock market crash of 1929 • Black Thursday • Panic of 1907• Panic of 1893 • Panic of 1837

Categories