| − | Silver was an immense political issue in the [[United States]] between about 1880 and 1917, as farmers and debtors favored the use of silver as a monetary standard less burdensome than a strict [[gold]] standard. | + | Silver was an immense political issue in the [[United States]] between about 1880 and 1917, as farmers and debtors favored the use of silver as a monetary standard less burdensome than a strict [[gold]] standard. ''[[The Wizard of Oz]]'', which includes silver shoes having magical powers, is viewed as a promotion of silver as a monetary standard during this period. |
| | Silver, considered a metal of purity, is often portrayed in folk tales and modern fiction alike as an effective weapon against [[vampire]]s, [[werewolf|werewolves]], and other evil creatures. Silver nails driven into a coffin lid were thought to prevent evil spirits from rising.<ref>[http://www.zerotime.com/night/destroy.htm Destroying Vampires]</ref> Silver also appears a great deal in the folklore of witchcraft, and is often worn by participants in modern Wiccan rituals.<ref>''The Witch Book: The Encyclopedia of Witchcraft, Wicca, and Neo-Paganism'', by Raymond Buckland, Visible Ink Press, 2002</ref> | | Silver, considered a metal of purity, is often portrayed in folk tales and modern fiction alike as an effective weapon against [[vampire]]s, [[werewolf|werewolves]], and other evil creatures. Silver nails driven into a coffin lid were thought to prevent evil spirits from rising.<ref>[http://www.zerotime.com/night/destroy.htm Destroying Vampires]</ref> Silver also appears a great deal in the folklore of witchcraft, and is often worn by participants in modern Wiccan rituals.<ref>''The Witch Book: The Encyclopedia of Witchcraft, Wicca, and Neo-Paganism'', by Raymond Buckland, Visible Ink Press, 2002</ref> |