Loading ...Picture Worth A Thousand Words
This image taken from a ZH article graphically displays how during COMEX trading hours, the price of silver is manipulated lower with the naked paper derivative contracts and what silver would be priced at without that manipulation! 
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2021-02-13/silver-about-tear-peoples-faces
So what happened 2002 to mid 2005 when that trend seems to have reversed? They lost control for a few years? If I’m reading it right, price was appreciating during the day and dropping overnight.
Back then the price was so low they probably didn’t care
Believe you are correct FGC. Looked back at both gold and silver during 2002-2005. Gold went from 250-450 and silver from 4-8.
Feb01 to Jun05 Gold increased in value 13% annually to a total of 65% in 4.5 years. Even at that time it was still a reasonably good investment for the average investor! Maybe the high returns and vomitility of gold stocks really aren’t always the best way to go about investing in this sector. I think FGC has said this a few times.
I know GATA is not relied upon by many here but here is an article where the prospectus for SLV has recently been changed. Further restrictions on delivery.
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2021-02-14/slv-authorized-participants-may-be-unable-acquire-sufficient-silver