In other words, if a farmer from 23 centuries ago had sold a quart of barley, he would have received 0.171 grams of silver.

Fast forward to today and that 0.171 grams of silver would buy almost the exact same amount of grain as it did 23 centuries ago.

When the paper speculators are out of the market, it still fulfills it's primary purpose: being a good store of value.