Silver's Average Annual Price for 2011 A Record High 

WASHINGTON, DC - The average annual silver price for 2011 of $35.12 per ounce set a record for the white metal, a staggering 74% gain over the 2010 average annual price of $20.19 per ounce.

"Silver's strong price performance last year owed much to the strength in investment demand, as well as growth in industrial demand, much of which is relatively price insensitive in the short-term," stated Michael DiRienzo, Executive Director of the Silver Institute.

Silver outperformed all precious metals in terms of increases of average annual prices: Palladium posted a 39% gain in 2011, while gold was up 28% and platinum rose 7% last year over 2010's figures.

Contact: www.silverinstitute.org. The Silver Institute.