Gold and the Economy

Gold's impact on the economy waxes and wanes, depending on how safe other investments are. When other investments seem too risky, gold always looks like a good hedge. In fact, you can tell how healthy the economy is from the price of gold. When the U.S was on the gold standard, the precious metal had an even greater importance. 

Before gold was used as coinage, its value was recognized. Gold jewelry is buried in the Tomb of Djer, king of the First Egyptian Dynasty. Gold's beauty, luster, and malleability made it perfect for many uses. In fact, the Egyptians became masters in the art of beating gold into leaf.

Gold was first used for money in 643 BC. In 30 BC, the Roman Emperor Augustus set the price of gold at 45 coins to the pound. Its value has steadily increased since then, reaching a peak of $1,823 an ounce in 2011. The historical price of gold predicts it will again fall below $1,000 an ounce.​

Was commodities trader George Soros right when he said: "Gold is the ultimate bubble"? Soros argued that gold, unlike housing, company stocks, or even oil, more easily lent itself to speculation because it has very little intrinsic value. That could mean the high prices in 2011 were a sign of an asset bubble. 

When the price of gold shoots up, everyone wonders if they should buy it. Are you a good candidate for buying gold? Only if you have enough money to ride out any ups or downs that could last years. In fact, the higher the price, the riskier this commodity is. You never know when a gold boom will turn into a bust.

People invest in gold for one of three reasons.

1. Offset stock market declines
2. Hedge against inflation.
3. Counteract a declining dollar.

For these reasons, gold is often considered a safe haven investment. But is it really? Gold is the best hedge against a potential stock market crash, according to research done by Trinity College. It found that gold prices increased dramatically for 15 days after a crash. Frightened investors panicked, sold their stocks, and bought gold. After the 15 days, gold prices lost value against rebounding stock prices.

For that reason, gold should be included in a well-diversified portfolio. It does protect your investments as a hedge after a stock market crash. But this protection is short-lived. 

The gold standard is when countries tie the value of their currency to gold. They are willing to redeem that currency for its value in gold. The gold standard allowed lightweight paper currency to be used for trade, instead of heavy gold bullion. In addition to making purses, and pockets, lighter, the gold standard allowed global trade. 

Gold was first used as a standard in 643 B.C. when the metal was used to create coins. Wealth was defined strictly by the amount of gold you had. Gold as money evolved from coins to paper redeemable by coins to a concept that was only loosely tied to its value in gold.

The gold standard helped create the Great Depression. It was modified after World War II to make the U.S. dollar the de facto world currency. But President Nixon disbanded it in the 1970s.

During the financial crisis in 2008, many longed for a return to the gold standard. It seemed that money had lost all relation to anything concrete. But the very forces that pried America away from the gold standard also meant that a return would prompt massive deflation. It would be enough to throw the global economy into another depression.