As a core Earth element, silver has played a crucial role in culturally and commercial history dating back centuries. In early civilizations, silver deposits formed the basis for tools, jewelry, religious relics and building materials, owing to its relative abidance near the surface. Due to its appearance, early cultures credited the metal with special significance in trade and commemoration, a role that continues to this day.
Over the development of modern civilization, silver has retained its core role in barter and jewelry. Considered a symbol of appreciation, it can be found in a wide variety of products and forms the basis for a number of modern currencies. The Near East provided a wealth of silver mining and craftsmanship, and ancient Greek art pieces demonstrate these qualities. With the colonization fo the New World, Europeans began developing major silver mines in Central America by the Spanish.
In the early modern era, many paper currencies were linked to silver, providing an important backing for the fiat currency. Investors today can trade in silver coins, commodities and futures in modern exchange markets, while mints commonly produce commemorative silver coins. Today, major silver mines can be found in Central and South American, while the coins remain a core part of bullion programs in many countries.