That is of course not unexpected after Bernanke failed to take any steps to prop up USD sentiment.
As long as countries like China, India, Brazil etc are the economic growth engines of the world, the precious metal prices will keep rising. From an historical and cultural perspective, they do not have the same faith in government-produced paper that western nations have. As global wealth gradually moves from one side to the other, so too will demand for PMs increase.
During the last Silver bubble when the Bunker Hunt boys had a real big play, the price reached $50/oz in 1980/81. If we assume that in the normal run of events prices double every 10 years; $50/oz in 1980 is the equivalent of $400/oz in 2010. Where would the AUD/USD be trading then, or USD/CAD? Just a thought.
