Source: Bloomberg (2010 data till Dec 9) Recent correction notwithstanding, silver has been on a tear in 2010. While gold has also given good returns, silver has handily beaten its precious metal counterpart. However, will the trend repeat itself in 2011? Maybe not if the data for the past 20 years is any indication. Today's chart of the day plots the average gold/silver ratio. As the chart shows, the two decade long average stands at around 67. In other words, same quantity of gold is 67 times more expensive than silver. As of now though, the ratio stands in the region of 50. In other words, if the ratio were to go back to long term average of 67, gold will have to rise at a faster rate than silver. However, investors take the data seriously at their own peril. A lot more detailed study is perhaps required before one considers playing the two precious metals. What can be said with certainty though is the fact that with paper currency losing value day by day, both of these metals are likely to outperform cash in the long term.