It's not just gold (GC=F) notching a strong quarter as a potential government shutdown looms. Silver futures (SI=F) are up 27% over the past three months, versus gold's more than 15% rise, and roughly 58% year to date compared with the yellow metal's 45%. On Tuesday, gold futures held near record highs above $3,875 an ounce while silver futures traded around$46. The metal was within striking distance of its closing high of $48.70 — just north of$150 in today's dollars — set in January 1980. That was du ...