The ancient Romans knew it as “argentums” and prized it for its whiteness and shininess. They also grouped it with gold and platinum as a “noble metal” because of its reluctance to tarnish.

            Before 3,500 BC, the Egyptians used it widely because it could be worked without complex refining processed. The Greeks linked it to the moon, as did the alchemists, while in early British heraldry; it was the color of princes.

            Argentina’s name is owed to the impression the silver ornaments worn by the Indians left on the Spanish conquistadors. The Spanish themselves sailed the world facing unknown perils in search of the silver and gold of the new world.

            Later, Britain chose it as the basis for their currency, a currency on which the sun never set, and to this day “sterling” refers to anything excellent or of genuinely high quality.