A prominent figure in the precious metals sector recently shared an urgent perspective on the shifting landscape of gold and silver markets during an interview with Liberty and Finance. The discussion, featuring the CEO of Miles Franklin Precious Metals, Andy Schectman, provided a deep dive into the forces currently driving the massive bull run in silver and the logistical challenges this unprecedented appreciation is creating for the industry.
Schectman, known for his long-term outlook on global financial trends and precious metals, painted a picture of a high-stakes environment where governments and major institutions are recognizing the strategic importance of these metals, fundamentally redefining their role from mere industrial commodities to critical geopolitical resources. This perspective highlights a "slow-motion rush" by informed entities to accumulate physical assets ahead of a potential supply crisis.
The New Role of Silver: From Commodity to Strategic Asset
Schectman emphasized that silver's recent price volatility, which saw a "harrowing swoon" followed by a quick rebound back over $\$50$ an ounce, should be viewed in context: "silver is still up between 65 and 70% this year." He attributed the correction to an "inevitable" pullback after a "parabolic manner" of appreciation, but also hinted at more powerful forces at play.
The core of his analysis rests on silver's reclassification. Schectman highlighted two major, game-changing shifts:
- U.S. Critical Mineral Designation: "With the US government calling it a strategic mineral, they've put a floor under the price and... they will, I think, start to purchase it." This formal classification acknowledges silver's "irreplaceable" role as the most conductive element, "the lifeblood of energy and data and power itself."
- Chinese Export Restrictions: Concurrently, China, the world’s largest silver refiner, is restricting exports, with all silver exports requiring individual government licenses from Beijing starting in 2026. This move, Schectman asserted, "classifies silver as a resource of national interest not just to the United States."
"I think the bottom line is silver is being redefined from an industrial metal... into a strategic element," Schectman stated, noting that this combination of government actions creates a "three-headed monster all battling for the same ounce of silver: The industrials, the hedge funds, investors, and now the governments."
Logistical Headwinds and Consolidation
The rapid increase in metal prices is creating significant logistical and operational challenges, particularly for smaller dealers. As the value of inventory soars, so do the costs of insurance and shipping. Schectman pointed out that for gold, a single tube of eagles is "well north of $80,000," making it difficult for local shops to maintain adequate inventory and manage risk.
He predicts this will lead to "consolidation into more major dealers" who possess the necessary resources and infrastructure. Furthermore, as prices rise, shipping companies like FedEx have strict valuation limits; Schectman noted, "we still don't put more than $150,000 of product in a particular package," meaning higher prices drive up the number of shipments required, increasing cost and complexity.
The Best Value and The Prospect of $\$100$ Silver
Addressing the perennial question of the "best buy" in silver, Schectman made a strong case for "junk silver" (dimes, quarters, and half dollars minted pre-1965). While "not sexy," he views it as the "best value with no opportunity cost with no added premium attached", trading at or near spot price. For those looking beyond junk silver, he suggested 1-ounce rounds from domestic refiners or coins from other major world mints (excluding the U.S. and Canadian Mints due to high premiums) as current strong buys.
The long-term outlook remains bullish, with Schectman supporting the projections of triple-digit silver. He cited analysts predicting "triple-digit silver in the next couple of quarters" and pointed to technical analysis (the 45-year "cup and handle" formation) and the historic gold-to-silver ratio.
"Even if silver was mar gold was marked to market... at $4,100... $4,100 divided by 42 is 98 bucks... silver could easily double," he said, adding that when considering the geological ratio of silver coming out of the ground at 7:1, the price "should be 570 bucks right now." Schectman concluded: "$100 silver is not stupid. It is not out of line."
Future Monetary Systems and Personal Analysis
The discussion moved to the future of currency, with Schectman arguing that the current financial system is moving away from the traditional debt-based model into one of "who's got the goods." He believes gold and silver ownership offers protection from "dollar debasement", a concept now being discussed in the mainstream as the "debasement trade."
Regarding the risk of government confiscation, Schectman offered a pragmatic view: while history shows it can happen, he suggests a different, more politically palatable first step. "I think it would be much easier for them to come in on a Friday night and nationalize SLV and all the other ETFs that BlackRock and JP Morgan are involved with." The prospectus of such managed accounts would allow them to simply close the accounts and put the money in market funds, avoiding the political backlash of infringing on civil liberties by outlawing physical ownership.
Schectman’s analysis underscores the idea that for the well-informed investor, it is better to be "six months or five years early than 60 seconds or five minutes late" to the structural changes underway. The metals market is no longer driven solely by inflation or investment demand, but by national strategic interests, setting the stage for a dramatic, and potentially explosive, revaluation of silver and gold.
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