Silver Thursday Market Panic

Date: March 27, 1980 • Location: Washington, United States

Brothers Nelson Bunker Hunt and William Herbert Hunt failed in their attempt to corner the world silver market, causing panic in commodity and futures exchanges.

Nelson Bunker Hunt was an American oil company executive and member of the wealthy Hunt family. He was once a billionaire but ultimately lost his fortune after he and his brothers, William Herbert and Lamar, were caught attempting to corner the world market in silver by authorities. He was also a thoroughbred horse breeder and a major sponsor of the John Birch Society.