It really breaks my heart to say it, but I think you are right. These days I choose to protect my capital by putting money in crypto. I do still have a small fetish for silver though, but if I buy it, I only buy coins that are unusual, as I think the coins rarity and history will make it grow in value over time !
Yeap, rarity in respect to art might have some value. But for the sake of the material being made is rather pointless.
I thought value of art pieces was bestowed upon by rich people attempting to evade govt tax? Yes rarity or limited edition is partly marketing to justify the value. Saw a video recently about this though is collegehumor but somehow it does hold some truth.