Question on Military History/Tradition: Why is Silver Higher Than Gold?

Question

For example 2nd Lt. is a Gold bar, while 1st Lt. is Silver, likewise Major is a Gold Oak leaf and Lt. Col. is a Silver one. It seems counter-intuitive. What is the military tradition that makes this different for the military, than for all other ranks/awards?

Answer 1

Ok, in the 1800's Army infantry colonels wore gold eagles, while all other Army colonels wore silver eagles. When the Army later decided to adopt a single color of eagles for all colonels, that single color was silver, apparently because more silver eagles than gold eagles were already in use. Lieutenant colonels received silver oak leaves next, to match the silver eagles of full colonels. Majors were then given gold oak leaves to distinguish them from lieutenant colonels. Once the precedent of silver outranking gold was set, it was followed when gold bars were later created for second lieutenants.



The young second lieutenant approached the crusty old first sergeant and asked him about the origin of the commissioned officer insignias.

"Well, LT, it's history and tradition. First, we give you a gold bar representing that you're valuable BUT malleable. The silver bar of a first lieutenant represents value, but less malleable. When you make captain, you're twice as valuable so we give you two silver bars.

"As a colonel, you soar over military masses, hence the eagle. As a general, you're obviously a star. That answer your question, LT?"

"Yeah, but what about major and lieutenant colonel?"

"Now, son, that goes waaaaaay back in history. Back to the Garden of Eden even. You see, we've always covered our pricks with leaves . . ."


Now do i get 10 points for solving the riddle ?

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Answer 2

I believe it comes from the fact that before we had the alloys and stuff the precious metal was very valuable. You will still find that if Americans go down in the middle east the first thing that happens is the teeth are checked for gold.

When gold was reallly gold and not just a color the troops may have killed the Generals for all the gold stars..

Good Question. Keep thinking.

Answer 3

Simnple answer is its not really gold or silver. The color name is used though which is what confuses the matter.

Even more confusing is that oak clusters follow the normal assumed value. Bronze, silver, gold.

Answer 4

well, you got me ?? but silver comes a long way as in first payment to troops in the old old days, then gold came along as second payment, i maybe wrong but its a hunch, there were more silver to pay back then, as u can see we still carry silver coins, but the gold is no where in our pockets, i always thought of it that way, but somewhere out there, someone knows.

Answer 5

Whether or not it is true, what I have always been told it is because gold is more malleable than silver, denoting that they still need training. When getting their silver insignia they require less training. Or so I have been told.

Answer 6

Funny I never questioned that at all...perhaps silver was more valuable in the past? I truly don't know...

Answer 7

The saying I've always heard was, "Silver is more precious than gold."

That doesn't help, though, does it?

Answer 8

Here's an official explanation:

Answer 9

i think its because silver looks like platinum ,and platinum is
more valuble than gold, so.....

Answer 10

Good question. I've always wondered that myself...I will have to research it.