First published by Money Metals here: https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2017/05/03/gold-scrap-market-decline-001060

After the U.S. economy disintegrated in 2008, due to the Banking and Housing crisis, Americans pawned off a record amount of gold. It is quite unfortunate that Americans have pawned off their best asset only to go further into debt. Thus, enabling them to buy more garbage and trinkets they really don’t need. Today, banks have made it easy for Americans to BUY NOW and PAY LATER.