Although often overshadowed by gold, silver is one of the world’s best-known commodities. The precious metal is used as a safe haven investment as well as a play on larger macroeconomic trends, as silver has a significant role in the industrial world. Physical and futures-based investments in silver have been a mainstay in many investors portfolios for years now, but allocations to silver mining and exploration companies have quickly solidified their place in the commodity world [for more silver news and analysis subscribe to our free newsletter].