silver standard

American  

noun

1. a monetary standard or system using silver of specified weight and fineness to define the basic unit of currency.

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silver standard British  

noun

1. a monetary system in which the legal unit of currency is defined with reference to silver of a specified fineness and weight and sometimes (esp formerly) freely redeemable for it

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Etymology

Origin of silver standard

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

Example Sentences

When America had a gold or silver standard, the federal budget ran an...

From The Wall Street Journal

Half income is said to be the "silver standard."

From BBC

What about a “silver standard” or a basket of metals?

From Forbes

Panic of 1873 resulted in national governments’ embrace of protectionist policies and a shift away from the global silver standard.

From Forbes

Its contribution to metaphor alone is legion — who would want a therapy that is, let us say, the silver standard?

From Nature