"Silver was more highly prized than gold by all the primitive peoples of the earth. Even the sacred writers speak of it with gusto … The human animal must be educated up to a just appreciation of gold, but silver by its brilliant white luster and flash in the light of the sun recommends itself to him as soon as its sheen strikes his eye."
The Big Bonanza: An Authentic Account of the Discovery, History, and Working of the World-Renowned Comstock Lode of Nevada - Dan de Quille

Pg. 356. 

 

I didn't realize that! I thought gold was always superior to silver.