Copper or Iron don't have that storage value unlike gold, they are only being used as Industrial materials. So, average people don't buy copper/iron coins and bury them in their yard. (not to mention, they are common as fuck)
But, Average people demand gold/silver. Industry also needs it. This huge combined demand alone should skyrocket gold/silver prices to the moon. But it is not. Why?
Because the prices are being manipulated by the derivative markets. If they become too valuable for the industrial purposes, factories may run out of business. Can't let that happen. So they want us to believe that they ain't worth shit. Most of us clever enough to see that it's not the truth so we take advantage of their stupidity and buy PM's.
I agree with you. The price of precious metals are dictated by paper contracts. Meaning you can influence the price of gold or silver without having any. And the paper contracts represent far more gold and silver than what physically exists. Unless people demand their gold and silver in physical delivery, the true value will not be reflected in the price.
Now with crytocurrencies available as an alternative to fiat in the event of a currency collapse or something along those lines, which is usually when the price of precious metals would rise in the past, I am doubtful that precious metals will skyrocket in the future.