Answer:
Silver was and still is a rare element that shows wealth/power. It would show neighboring countries the amount of wealth and power a certain country and or area had.
Catherine and he had become lovers; no one told Catherine's husband, the Grand Duke Peter. Catherine saw Orlov as very useful, and he became instrumental in the 28 June 1762 coup d'état against her husband, but she preferred to remain the Dowager Empress of Russia, rather than marrying anyone.
When James ll was king he was opposed because he was Catholic.
