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Currency

Record Gold Price and All Time Highs

Author: Corey McDowell - Economics Editor

Published: 23 Jul 2019

Last Updated: 11 Mar 2024

Synopsis

Gold price has fluctuated, sometimes wildly, in response to geo-politico-economic events beginning when the US ditched the gold standard in 1971. Since then gold has become an ever-increasing safe haven option for investors looking to hedge against inflation. Onwards from January 2000 when the UK government abolished VAT on the yellow metal demand soared and prices accordingly. The financial crash of 2008 added further to demand and over the next 4 years prices hit all time high. Proliferation of the internet has made it easier than ever for retail investors to deal with online bullion dealers like ourselves which only compounds the existing demand from institutional investors and central banks. If you’re looking for reasons as to why prices are peaking at a certain time you can read more below the prices.

Record Gold Price

Highest Ever Gold Prices in US Dollars, Sterling and Euros

Currency Gold Price Per Ounce - LBMA Fix Intraday High Date
US Dollar $2,171.20  $2,196.80 8th March 2024
Pound Sterling £1,691.62 £1,709.71 7th March 2024
Euro €1,984.10 €2,007.73 8th March 2024

Gold Price History From the 1830s

We have gold price records in descending date order below. If your interested in why price peaks occur you can click here to read on below the prices. 

Record Prices - LBMA Gold Fix Table 2020 Onwards

Gold first found itself on a bull run in 1979 with prices topping out in dollars at $850 per ounce in early 1980. Since then the market went through a correction until ballooning once again during and after the financial crash of 2008. The Pound and Euro reach price peaks at different times due to the exchange rate against dollars. Intraday highs are likely higher than these values as we only list the fix on morning and afternoon.

Date Fix Price £ Price $ Price €
8th March 2022 P.M. £1,553.35 $2,039.05 €1,870.22
7th March 2022 A.M. £1,520.63 $1,999.25 €1,849.31
4th March 2022 P.M. £1,472.40 $1,945.30 €1,783.26
4th March 2022 A.M. £1,460.18 $1,943.80 €1,764.97
3rd March 2022 A.M. £1,446.91 $1,935.40 €1,745.92
7th August 2020 A.M. £1,574.37 $2,061.50 €1,743.82
6th August 2020 P.M. £1,569.59 $2,067.15 €1,743.43
5th August 2020 P.M. £1,558.03 $2,048.15 €1,722.90
5th August 2020 A.M. £1,553.30 $2,034.45 €1,718.09
4th August 2020 P.M. £1,519.62 $1,977.90 €1,686.56
3rd August 2020 A.M. £1,509.50 $1,972.95 €1,678.39
31st July 2020 A.M. £1,505.91 $1,974.70 €1,666.84
30th July 2020 P.M. £1,502.10 $1,957.65 €1,662.44
29th July 2020 A.M. £1,506.80 $1,954.35 €1,663.54
28th July 2020 P.M. £1,501.48 $1,940.90 €1,654.23
27th July 2020 A.M. £1,511.30 $1,940.55 €1,659.56
24th July 2020 P.M. £1,490.30 $1,902.10 €1,638.09
24th July 2020 A.M. £1,486.67 $1,893.85 €1,631.55
23rd July 2020 A.M. £1,480.28 $1,882.35 €1,624.47
22nd July 2020 P.M. £1,462.85 $1,851.00 €1,604.82
18th May 2020 A.M. £1,450.85 $1,756.90 €1,625.84
15th May 2020 P.M. £1,427.67 $1,735.35 €1,602.60
15th May 2020 A.M. £1,422.06 $1,734.85 €1,604.39
14th May 2020 P.M. £1,420.09 $1,731.60 €1,603.98
23rd April 2020 P.M. £1,405.84 $1,736.25 €1,608.64
23rd April 2020 A.M. £1,399.49 $1,727.55 €1,601.78
22nd April 2020 P.M. £1,388.28 $1,710.55 €1,576.44
16th April 2020 P.M. £1,382.91 $1,729.50 €1,589.06
14th April 2020 P.M. £1,383.01 $1,741.90 €1,588.26
14th April 2020 A.M. £1,367.36 $1,715.85 €1,567.94
24rd March 2020 P.M. £1,371.47 $1,605.75 €1,489.49
24rd March 2020 A.M. £1,362.61 $1,599.50 €1,472.98
23rd March 2020 P.M. £1,312.91 $1,525.40 €1,411.00
24th February 2020 A.M. £1,304.49 $1,682.35 €1,555.84
21st February 2020 P.M. £1,269.12 $1,643.30 €1,515.29
21st February 2020 A.M. £1,264.81 $1,633.70 €1,512.48
20th February 2020 P.M. £1,258.45 $1,619.00 €1,496.77
20th February 2020 A.M. £1,250.11 $1,610.35 €1,491.99
19th February 2020 A.M. £1,239.80 $1,609.50 €1,490.40
18th February 2020 P.M. £1,220.37 $1,589.85 €1,470.77
18th February 2020 A.M. £1,218.47 $1,588.20 €1,467.34
17th February 2020 P.M. £1,215.16 $1,580.80 €1,458.29
17th February 2020 A.M. £1,212.41 $1,580.30 €1,457.04
14th February 2020 P.M. £1,214.20 $1,581.40 €1,456.79
14th February 2020 A.M. £1,209.69 $1,576.35 €1,453.08
13th February 2020 P.M. £1,207.59 $1,575.05 €1,450.94
13th February 2020 A.M. £1,213.54 $1,575.00 €1,447.27
10th February 2020 P.M. £1,215.93 $1,573.20 €1,439.64
10th February 2020 A.M. £1,219.26 $1,574.05 €1,437.11
27th January 2020 A.M. £1,209.28 $1,583.45 €1,436.66
8th Janunary 2020 A.M. £1,206.13 $1,582.85 €1,421.87

Record LBMA Gold Price Fix - 2019

Date Fix Price £ Price $ Price €
4th September 2019 P.M. £1,269.97 $1,546.10 €1,403.86 
3rd September 2019 P.M. £1277.80 $1,537.85 €1,403.44
3rd September 2019 A.M. £1,278.06 $1,532.45 €1,400.35
29th August 2019 P.M £1,262.96 $1,536.65 €1,392.03
28th August 2019 A.M £1,263.31 $1,541.75 €1,389.89
13th August 2019 A.M. £1,265.90 $1,527.20 €1,363.48
12th August 2019 A.M. £1,244.82 $1,501.95 €1,343.64
9th August 2019 A.M. £1,242.19 $1,503.50 €1,342.02
7th August 2019 P.M. £1,239.33 $1,506.05 €1,341.44
7th August 2019 A.M. £1,225.82 $1,487.65 €1,330.11
5th August 2019 P.M. £1,203.85 $1,465.25 €1,310.23
5th August 2019 A.M. £1,199.92 $1,457.45 €1,307.92
2nd August 2019 P.M. £1,187.28 $1,441.75 €1,298.44
2nd August 2019 A.M. £1,184.17 $1,436.05 €1,294.02

Record LBMA Gold Price Fix - 2011/12

Date Fix Price £ Price $ Price €
1st October 2012 P.M £1,104.20 $1,787.00 €1,382.27 
5th September 2011 P.M. £1,178.92 $1,895.00 €1,345.50
5th September 2011 A.M. £1,174.67 $1,896.50 €1,341.14
23rd August 2011 A.M. £1,138.64 $1,886.50 €1,301.75
22nd August 2011 A.M. £1,139.55 $1,877.75 €1,303.18
19th August 2011 A.M. £1,126.91 $1,862.00 €1,299.28
18th August 2011 P.M. £1,109.76 $1,824.00 €1,276.15
18th August 2011 A.M. £1,087.12 $1,794.50 €1,246.44
17th August 2011 A.M. £1,089.96 $1,792.00 €1,240.40
11th August 2011 A.M. £1,105.75 $1,786.00 €1,254.39
10th August 2011 P.M. £1,094.71 $1,772.00 €1,246.92
9th August 2011 A.M. £1,080.98 $1,770.00 €1,241.76
8th August 2011 A.M. £1,040.94 $1,709.75 €1,195.21
4th August 2011 P.M. £1,028.28 $1,679.50 €1,186.17
3rd August 2011 P.M. £1,019.02 $1,669.25 €1,166.57
3rd August 2011 A.M. £1,016.77 $1,667.50 €1,163.40
2nd August 2011 P.M. £1,005.80 $1,637.75 €1,147.37
29th July 2011 P.M. £992.08 $1,628.50 €1,133.11
27th July 2011 P.M. £991.76 $1,625.00 €1,124.88
27th July 2011 A.M. £987.69 $1,621.00 €1,118.32
25th July 2011 A.M. £995.02 $1,618.50 €1,126.62
19th July 2011 A.M. £994.11 $1,602.00 €1,129.04
18th July 2011 P.M. £994.28 $1,599.00 €1,136.70
18th July 2011 A.M. £992.83 $1,598.25 €1,136.33
14th July 2011 A.M. £987.54 $1,592.50 €1,119.04
13th July 2011 P.M. £988.36 $1,579.00 €1,121.05
13th July 2011 A.M. £984.71 $1,571.50 €1,114.62
12th July 2011 P.M. £977.00 $1,555.50 €1,107.34
11th July 2011 P.M. £976.71 $1,555.50 €1,106.88
22nd June 2011 P.M. £962.73 $1,552.50 €1,077.38
3rd May 2011 A.M. £938.13 $1,546.50 €1,045.22
28th April 2011 P.M. £919.74 $1,535.50 €1,034.60
21st April 2011 A.M. £909.97 $1,507.00 €1,028.95
20th April 2011 A.M. £920.15 $1,505.00 €1,037.93
19th April 2011 A.M. £917.97 $1,495.00 €1,047.58
18th April 2011 P.M. £917.08 $1,493.00 €1,046.25
18th April 2011 A.M. £913.09 $1,484.50 €1,036.81
15th April 2011 P.M. £903.76 $1,476.75 €1,023.81
15th April 2011 A.M. £901.49 $1,472.50 €1,018.61
8th April 2011 A.M. £897.80 $1,470.50 €1,022.97
6th April 2011 P.M. £896.90 $1,461.50 €1,022.10
6th April 2011 A.M. £894.25 $1,457.00 €1,019.02
24th March 2011 A.M. £892.38 $1,447.00 €1,018.44
24th March 2011 A.M. £891.15 $1,441.25 €1,019.70
23rd March 2011 P.M. £885.25 $1,439.50 €1,017.82
7th March 2011 P.M. £884.51 $1,437.50 €1,026.27
7th March 2011 A.M. £880.52 $1,437.00 €1,025.26
2nd March 2011 P.M. £879.00 $1,435.50 €1,034.82

Record LBMA Gold Price Fix - 2010

Date Fix Price £ Price $ Price €
7th December 2010 A.M. £902.13 $1,426.00 €1,065.85
9th November 2010 P.M. £879.39 $1,421.00 €1,018.78
9th November 2010 A.M. £877.32 $1,416.25 €1,016.91
5th November 2010 P.M. £859.03 $1,395.50 €990.28
5th November 2010 A.M. £855.37 $1,384.25 €978.06
4th November 2010 P.M. £848.12 $1,381.00 €968.44
14th October 2010 A.M. £860.75 $1,380.75 €980.16
13th October 2010 P.M. £862.44 $1,365.50 €979.42
7th October 2010 A.M. £853.10 $1,359.50 €973.02
6th October 2010 A.M. £847.44 $1,347.00 €972.28
5th October 2010 P.M. £838.06 $1,330.50 €964.83
5th October 2010 A.M. £835.49 $1,325.75 €962.15
1st October 2010 P.M. £832.86 $1,316.25 €957.41
1st October 2010 A.M. £828.29 $1,313.00 €955.19
30th September 2010 A.M. £824.32 $1,311.00 €960.09
29th September 2010 P.M. £827.22 $1,307.50 €961.26
29th September 2010 A.M. £826.12 $1,307.50 €962.39
24th September 2010 A.M. £826.49 $1,298.00 €967.36
22nd September 2010 P.M. £825.46 $1,293.50 €963.50
22nd September 2010 A.M. £823.56 $1,291.75 €966.16
17th September 2010 A.M. £816.19 $1,281.50 €975.49
16th September 2010 P.M. £815.03 $1,272.50 €971.97
16th September 2010 A.M. £815.37 $1,271.25 €971.98
15th September 2010 A.M. £818.82 $1,270.40 €978.89
14th September 2010 P.M. £818.88 $1,265.50 €982.76
8th September 2010 A.M. £814.29 $1,256.75 €991.73
7th September 2010 P.M. £820.33 $1,256.75 €985.69
18th June 2010 P.M. £848.42 $1,256.00 €1,015.61
8th June 2010 A.M. £867.45 $1,248.00 €1,048.03
12th May 2010 A.M. £831.83 $1,241.25 €977.90
11th May 2010 P.M. £824.07 $1,222.50 €960.41

Record LBMA Gold Price Fix - 2009

Date Fix Price £ Price $ Price €
3rd December 2009 A.M. £731.59 $1,218.25 €805.46
2nd December 2009 P.M. £727.92 $1,212.50 €804.31
2nd December 2009 A.M. £727.10 $1,211.50 €802.11
24th November 2009 A.M. £708.81 $1,170.25 €782.93
23th November 2009 P.M. £702.87 $1,169.50 €780.08
23th November 2009 A.M. £702.41 $1,166.00 €778.53
18th November 2009 P.M. £684.83 $1,149.00 €768.61
18th November 2009 A.M. £681.62 $1,146.00 €767.07
17th November 2009 P.M. £675.33 $1,134.75 €763.58
17th November 2009 A.M. £673.10 $1,131.75 €759.26
16th November 2009 P.M. £674.79 $1,130.00 €754.59
16th November 2009 A.M. £676.83 $1,128.75 €754.41
12th November 2009 A.M. £672.90 $1,116.00 €746.19
11th November 2009 P.M. £669.82 $1,114.75 €742.26
11th November 2009 A.M. £667.52 $1,114.75 €741.93
9th November 2009 A.M. £658.80 $1,108.50 €738.90
6th November 2009 P.M. £661.29 $1,096.75 €735.68
6th November 2009 A.M. £659.60 $1,095.00 €735.05
4th November 2009 A.M. £659.99 $1,091.75 €739.57
14th October 2009 A.M. £666.46 $1,066.00 €715.15
13th October 2009 A.M. £675.74 $1,064.50 €719.50
12th October 2009 P.M. £669.16 $1,058.75 €715.71
8th October 2009 A.M. £657.08 $1,054.75 €713.97
7th October 2009 A.M. £658.95 $1,047.00 €709.10
6th October 2009 P.M. £652.24 $1,038.75 €704.95

Record LBMA Gold Price Fix - 2008

Date Fix Price £ Price $ Price €
17th March 2008 A.M. £508.51 $1,023.50 €649.51
14th March 2008 P.M. £493.05 $1,003.50 €642.32
14th March 2008 A.M. £491.62 $997.00 €641.16
13th March 2008 P.M. £488.99 $995.00 €638.97
3rd March 2008 P.M. £496.68 $988.50 €647.86
3rd March 2008 A.M. £492.70 $978.25 €644.94
29th February 2008 P.M. £488.85 $971.50 €640.07
29th February 2008 A.M. £488.88 $969.00 €637.58
28th February 2008 P.M. £483.00 $959.75 €634.08
27th February 2008 P.M. £482.09 $959.50 €635.98
27th February 2008 A.M. £481.62 $958.75 €636.32
25th February 2008 A.M. £482.26 $947.50 €639.77
22nd February 2008 A.M. £480.88 $945.75 €637.51
21st February 2008 P.M. £482.76 $945.00 €641.20
21st February 2008 A.M. £482.03 $943.00 €639.76
1st February 2008 A.M. £468.75 $933.00 €627.06
29th January 2008 A.M. £466.55 $927.50 €627.75
28th January 2008 P.M. £464.22 $921.75 €623.99
25th January 2008 A.M. £465.28 $921.25 €625.64
15th January 2008 P.M. £463.36 $913.00 €612.83
14th January 2008 A.M. £464.32 $911.50 €612.16
11th January 2008 A.M. £457.56 $893.75 €604.74
9th January 2008 A.M. £452.15 $887.85 €603.53
8th January 2008 P.M. £442.03 $873.50 €593.29
8th January 2008 A.M. £441.57 $873.25 €593.81
3rd January 2008 P.M.. £438.49 $865.35 €587.28
3rd January 2008 A.M. £438.49 $865.35 €587.28
2nd January 2008 P.M. £427.82 $846.75 €576.45

Record LBMA Gold Price Fix from 1980 to 2007

Date Fix Price £ Price $ Price €
7th November 2007 A.M. £400.47 $841.75 €573.56
6th November 2007 P.M. £393.77 $822.50 €564.71
6th November 2007 A.M. £392.13 $817.56 €562.97
5th November 2007 P.M. £386.71 $804.75 €555.73
5th November 2007 A.M. £385.59 $802.50 €554.94
29th October 2007 A.M. £385.12 $792.50 €549.85
26th October 2007 P.M. £380.17 $779.15 €542.40
26th October 2007 A.M. £377.38 $775.60 €539.89
19th October 2007 A.M. £375.47 $768.25 €537.95
18th October 2007 P.M. £373.16 $764.15 €534.60
17th October 2007 P.M. £373.98 $762.52 €536.44
16th October 2007 A.M. £374.58 $761.75 €537.39
15th October 2007 P.M. £371.71 $758.85 €537.39
15th October 2007 A.M. £371.10 $755.85 €531.17
12th October 2007 P.M. £368.63 $749.50 €528.56
11th October 2007 P.M. £367.70 $749.00 €527.35
11th October 2007 A.M. £366.21 $747.50 €525.93
1st October 2007 A.M. £364.78 $745.25 €523.53
28th September 2007 P.M. £365.40 $743.00 €522.98
28th September 2007 A.M. £363.71 $737.75 €520.31
21th September 2007 P.M. £365.12 $737.00 €523.18
21th September 2007 A.M. £365.01 $735.35 €522.60
20th September 2007 P.M. £365.28 $734.50 €522.33
20th September 2007 A.M. £362.57 $727.50 €518.45
12th May 2006 A.M. £382.74 $725.75 €561.38
10th May 2006 A.M. £378.25 $704.30 €551.05
4th January 1999 A.M. £173.85 $288.25 €244.38
21st January 1980 P.M. £371.07 $850.00 DM490.90*

*Data for the euro is only available from the 1st January 1999. For reference, we have given a value of gold in German Marks for this date.

Gold Price Review 2020 - To Date

March 2022

Shortly after August 2020's peak of £1,578.58, gold prices began to fall for several months, hitting a low of £1,213.55 in March 2021. In the meantime, cryptocurrencies enjoyed a rally with Bitcoin reaching £43,825.79 on 18 April 2021 and £51,000 in November 2021. Both occasions led to sharp drops of around 50% immediately after.

With news that the inflation in the UK had hit a 30 year high of 5.5% (and over 7.5% in the US), it wasn't until Russia declared war on Ukraine that gold began to make another significant upward shift as gold hit a new ATH of £1,580.40 on 8 March.

August 2020

Another big psychological barrier is broken for gold, as the precious metal passes through the $2,000 per troy ounce mark on the 4th August. As of the 5/8/20, gold has been rising in price for the past 14 days, measured in all major fiat currencies.

July 2020

Gold breaks through the all-time record US dollar price on the 24th July - $1,902.10. The previous LBMA price fix record of $1,895.00 per ounce had held since September 2011, and the precious metal now has an intra-day high of $1,943.70 per ounce recorded on the 27th. Central banks around the world have gone on a massive asset purchasing programme in an attempt to deal with the economic damage caused by government shutdowns, which could explain the spike in the gold price.

Gold also smashes thorugh more records priced in pounds sterling and euros, hitting a high of £1,511.88 / €1,658.40 per ounce on the 27th July.

April 2020

As the shutdown continues, dire statistics are emerging as to the damage being done to the UK economy. According to the Centre for Economics and Business Research, the government-imposed shutdown is costing £2.4 billion a day, which adds up to approximately £120 billion over 50 days. The Bank of England is also expecting unemployment in Britain to more than double.

On the 23rd April, the LBMA fixed gold at £1,405.84 and €1,608.64 per troy ounce respectively, which represents more psychological barriers being broken for both these currencies. Gold still remains a bit off its record price in US dollars, so one could argue that both sterling and the euro are weak at the current moment.  

March 2020

The coronavirus outbeak becomes a pandemic, which leads to countries imposing draconian measures on their respective populations. Markets go into meltdown and precious metals initially drop in value, but rebound strongly. Gold hits a record value denominated in Pounds Sterling, hitting a high of £1,371.47 in the LBMA afternoon fix on the 24th March. Part of the reason for this record-high price is the strengthening US dollar, of which precious metals are primarily priced in.

February 2020

Gold coninues to strengthen against the euro, hitting a high of €1,521.73 in intraday trading on the 21st February and the LBMA fixing the euro price at €1,496.77 per troy ounce on the afternoon on the 20th February. Recent economic data from the eurozone nations is disappointing and there are concerns around the state of European capital markets, particularly with Britain's withdrawal from the European Union potentially excuding the City of London financial district from the single market. Friction is also emerging around future contributions to the EU budget. Fears around the coronavirus outbreak also spook markets and cause all-time records for gold denominated in euros and Sterling.

January 2020

Gold hit a record €1,443.95 an ounce in intraday trading on the 8th of January. The European Central Bank had announced a resumption to quantitative easing measures and cuts to interest rates to try and stimulate economic growth in the eurozone, which could explain this all-time price high for gold in euros.

 2010 - 2020 Review

September 2011

Gold price reached a peak of £1178 per ounce in September 2011 marking a new all-time high for the price of gold in sterling. In US dollars the price topped out at an impressive US$1917 per ounce though the offical fix on the day was slightly lower than this intraday high..

The 28-year record high gold price, in US Dollars, previously $850.00 on the p.m. fix on 21st January 1980, was smashed several times in January and February 2009, climibing to $1,146 on 18th November 2009, on to over $1,300 in September, October 2010.

May 2010

Gold hit all-time record high on election day May 6th, 2010, with 2 record fixes, then broke through £800 per ounce on sterling weakness in late trading, running up to touch £818 per ounce.

On election results day, May 7th 2010, gold fixed at another all-time record high of £825.602 per ounce, largely on sterling weakness overnight because of the impending hung parliament.

Gold itself has been in strong demand on fears over Greece, and possible contagion affecting Ireland, Spain, Portugal and Italy.

The Greek economic & political crisis has hammered the euro, seeing euro gold price rise another 15% to break €962 on May 6th, 2010.

On Friday 12th May 2006, gold reached its record highest price ever in euros, the afternoon London Gold Fix was €561.378, although in US dollars it was still only $725.00.

Gold has only been fixed in Euros since 1st January 2000, before that date it is shown in two currencies only, the pound sterling and the US dollar.

February 2010

The record high gold price in Euros has been broken many times. Notable high points include May 12th, 2006 when the p.m. gold fix was €561.378, and January 3rd, 2008 at €587.275. It has continued to break records, the most recent being 11th February 2010 at €635.908.

2000-2010 Review

Gold Price in the 2000s in Pounds Sterling

December 2009

The 28-year record high gold price, in US Dollars, previously $850.00 on the p.m. fix on 21st January 1980, was smashed several times in January and February 2009, hit $1218.25 December 3rd, 2009.

November 2009

Now $1,134.75 on 17th November 2009.

October 2009

On the afternoon London Fix of 6th October 2009, gold fixed at $1,038.75 per troy ounce. This was the highest ever dollar fix, until...the next day, on the morning London Fix of 7th October 2009, fixed further up at another new all-time high of $1,047 per ounce.

March 2008

On 13th March 2008, it broke through the $1,000 per ounce barrier for the first time ever. Although it retreated to about $995, we think it may fix at over $1,000 tomorrow or soon.

It bottomed out in 1999 and has been on an uptrend ever since. In May 2006, and October 2007, it hit new all-time peaks in pounds sterling.

February 2008

Shortly after we finished updating this page on our old website on 20th February 2008, gold shot up yet again in late trading, by about $20 per ounce, and hitting new record highs in all three gold fixing currencies.

On 21st February 2008, gold broke all three currency price records yet again, at £482.759; $945.00; and €641.200 per ounce on the afternoon London Fix. Intraday trading was even higher at over $950, breaking another magic psychological barrier. Next stop $1,000?

January 2008

The first trading day of 2008 started with not one, but two all-time record high gold prices in sterling. If our gut-feeling is correct, these will be the first of many.

After a 32% gain during 2007, gold started the new year strongly with a jump of over £10 per ounce, from a fix of £417.624 to $427.824 on Wednesday afternoon's fix.

As we were writing this, late Wednesday afternoon UK standard time, gold continued to surge, hitting around £434 per ounce, over $857 in US dollars, and over €580 in euros. It looks set to fix tomorrow at a new all-time dollar, sterling and euro high.

December 2007

2008 Predictions - We don't pretend to be analysts, but we do read much about gold and currencies. One of the best books we read recently was Wake Up, and the scenarios predicted therein are still rolling our day be day to universal surprise. Neither are we "gold bugs", as we try to gauge realistic future gold prices, but we feel that a 15% increase during 2008 is a distinct possibility if not probability. This would put gold at around £482 per ounce, or about $960 US by the end of 2008. A normal range of market fluctuations during the year could easily see £500 or $1,000 per ounce gold.

With one trading day to go in 2007, there could yet be another all-time sterling high for gold, which will again go unreported. We might still see a new all-time dollar high this year, as gold bullion is only 2% below its 1980 dollar peak.

Trading volumes around Christmas and New Year are usually light, so anything could happen on Monday, New Year's Eve.

By the 28th December 2007, with one final trading day left this year, gold reached its 14th record all-time high, and as we wrote this, was trading at over £419 per ounce, so it looks at though it might hit yet another record on new year's eve.

October 2007

The London a.m. fix on 29th October 2007 was £385.12 in pounds sterling, a new all time record high. This fixing price in US dollars was $792.50 and in euros €549.851.

As at October 2007, it has hit 27-year highs 24 times, in US dollars. It looks set to reach and break through the previous £850 high point sooner if not later.

Some pundits, including "The Bullion Desk" in London had been forecasting $850 in 2007, possibly by November, since early in the year or late 2006.

2007 Gold Prices in Sterling Gold started 2007 at £314.710, and hit record high sterling prices 13 times, reaching £418.486 on 28th December, beating the previous peak of £371.066 on 21st January 1980.

33% Annual Gains - The increase in the gold bullion price was 32.9751% during the year, not bad for a safe "defensive" investment!

Media Myopia - Yet again, we have seen no mention of the record prices in the UK media, which seems to be quite myopic, and only looks at the US dollar price of gold. When this hits $850, we predict there will be universal proclamation of it. This magic figure might be broken before the end of 2007. Forecasts of gold prices for 2008 are bound to include $900, $950, and $1,000 or more.

Media Bias - The Times of India unfailingly reports gold price movements in Indian Rupees, even the Chinese press reports gold price news in Renminbi, but the British press only wag their tails at gold prices in US dollars.

Sick Sterling - One thing that these recent sterling gold highs does underline is the weakness of the pound sterling, which has fallen over 5% against the euro in the last few weeks. and 4% against the US dollar. Since 1980, sterling has dropped by almost 10% against the greenback. The exchange rate at the 21st January 1980 afternoon fix was $2.207104; at today's (28th December 2007) afternoon fix, it was $1.993325.

May 2006

This morning (12th May 2006), gold fixed at $725.75, a 25 year record, but still 15% below the highest recorded dollar price. Many now believe that it is only a matter of time before gold hits its all time high in US dollars also, perhaps on its way to $1,000+. Who knows? We certainly would not want to bet against it!

On Wednesday 10th May 2006, gold reached its record highest price ever in pounds sterling, the morning London Gold Fix was £378.249, beating the previous peak of £371.066 on 21st January 1980, although in US dollars it is still 15% below its $850 peak.

As at Friday 12th May, gold had retained this strong price, trading between about £380 and £387 per troy ounce, the highest fix being £382.739 on the Friday morning fix of 12th May.

Record High Gold Price in US Dollars The previous all-time record high gold price in US dollars was reached on 21st January 1980, fixing at $850.00 on that day's p.m. fix.

April 2006

Record High in Beijing The record price in Chinese Yuan was achieved on Tuesday 4th April 2006, according to the Beijing Daily newspaper, hitting 170 yuan per gram (21.25 dollars). "Gold has never been sold at such a high price in Beijing," said Wang Jian, general manager of the Gongmei Mansion Gold Store, told the paper. "I doubt whether consumers will hesitate to buy gold ornaments now," he said. Gold dealers in China's capital reacted cautiously in raising prices, fearing a drop in sales despite the fact that prices in southern China had surged to 178 yuan (22.25 dollars) per gram. China is the world's third-biggest market for gold after India and the United States, according to the World Gold Council, an industry organization. Last year Chinese demand for gold rose 8 percent to more than 250 tons

2005

Gold price climbs over $500 for the first time in almost 20 years. The last time prices were over $500 per ounce was back in 1987

2003

Gold reached a 4 year high in anticipation of the invasion of Iraq and subsequent political and economic risks. 

1990-2000 Review

Gold Price in the 1990s in Pounds Sterling

October 1999

October of 1999 saw 15 European central banks limit supply which pushed gold price to just short of $340 per ounce a 2 year high. 

August 1999

In August 1999 following central bank sell offs the gold price dropped to about $250 per ounce and was compounding by mining companies short selling stock in anticipation of more price pressure. 

1980 - 1990 Review

Gold Price in the 1980s in Pounds Sterling

January 1980

In January of this year gold peaked at $850 per ounce due to investor demand. High inflation and geopolitical risks prompted moves into safe havens at the time. This was also around the same time as the infamous Bunker Hunt Silver Bubble.

1970 - 1980 Review

Gold Price in the 1970s in Pounds Sterling

1973

The US dollar is devalued further, and gold climbed upwards of $40 per ounce. 

1972

The US dollar is devalued, with the gold price climbing to $38 per ounce. 

1971

Richard Nixon shuts off US dollar/gold convertability, which de facto ends the gold standard as set out in the 1944 Bretton Woods Agreement.

Why Do We Get Gold Price Peaks?

The reason for all these record high prices is basically the same, the erosion in value of each of the currencies. This has happened to all currencies and monetary systems, ever since the first ones were introduced by the ancient Greeks almost three thousand years ago.

In the old days, money was simply lumps of gold, silver or copper, and its value closely reflected the value of its actual intrinsic metal content. Even then, some money issuers reduced the weight or purity of their money over a period of time, sometimes gold plating or silver plating it to disguise the deception.

Once we switched to fiat paper money (blame the Chinese), this deception or illusion became easier. Inefficient or dishonest rulers and governments could cheat their citizens and taxpayers by printing more money or refusing to redeem it for its original value. Because this is also a method of stealth taxation, it is very popular with many governments. Taxpayers and voters often fail to realise what is happening until it is too late, and by this time there is often a new government left to continue, and perhaps try to clean up the mess left by the previous one.

Counterparty Risk

When you own a banknote, you are relying on the issuer to still to around, and solvent when you come to redeem or spend it. You are also relying in the issuer to maintain its value. The issuer is a counterparty, and you are exposed to counterparty risk.

When you own gold bullion, or silver, or other precious metals, you are exposed to the fluctuations in the bullion markets, but there is no counterparty risk. Even the market price fluctuations are slightly illusory. It could be considered that an ounce of gold is an ounce of gold, and remains the same ounce of gold whatever happens to its value when measured against a fiat (paper) currency. It is actually the value of the paper currency which is fluctuating against the ounce of gold.

The Gold Standard

We expect everybody to have heard of the gold standard. It was a system whereby many countries guaranteed to exchange their paper money for gold at a fixed exchange rate. Even this arrangement includes counterparty risk, because governments could run up deficits then default on their promises to exchange, or devalue by changing the exchange rate.

It is difficult to define exact starting dates for 'the gold standard' because different countries used it is varying forms over long and periods of time, but for most major western countries it was in use at least from the 18th to the 20th century.

The gold standard came to an effective end between 1931 and 1934 for most countries.

Bretton Woods - The Gold / Dollar Standard

At Bretton Woods in 1944, a new international financial system was hatched. The US government guaranteed it would exchange the US dollar for gold at $35 per ounce, and many other countries adopted a fixed rate of exchange between their own currency and the US dollar.

There have been defaults and devaluations along the way, and the US eventually reneged on its guarantees in 1971, after the French government started to exchange dollars for gold, and the costs of the Vietnam war adversely affected the strength and value of the US dollar.

At first a two tier system operated, whereby governments could exchange at $35, but others could only exchange at $42, but this temporary fudge was always doomed to crumble.

Eventually the US government abandoned all fixed rates between the US dollar and gold; the dollar being left to float, or more correctly, to sink.

By 1980, gold hit its then all time high of $850 on 21st January. This meant the US dollar was worth only 850/35 or 1/24th of its previous value in only 10 years!

What had started as a kind of gold standard had become a dollar standard.

The Dollar Standard

Since 1971, most countries in the world have held most of their reserve currencies in American dollars. This made much sense, as the USA was the wealthiest nation, it was relatively politically stable, and there were few practical alternatives.

Because the US dollar and the US government was now held in a favoured and esteemed position, this has made it easier for US governments to run high levels of deficit, and get away with it. For the past 10 years, we have read analyses and arguments that the US treasury was printing too much money (and we include bonds, and other loans as money), and that its exchange rate was artificially high, too high, and therefore must eventually fall. We believe this has been happening.

The most recent low gold price in US dollars occurred on 20th July 1999 when gold fixed at $252.80 US per ounce. Since then, gold has again risen, this time to over $1,000 per ounce, so against gold, the US dollar is worth less than a quarter of its real value only 10 years ago. Many believe the dollar has much further to fall, and this is a distinct probability. A complete meltdown is also possible and we could yet witness a run on the US dollar.

Similar to the French in 1970, the Chinese have expressed interest in seeing a new international standard reserve currency. Most of China's currency reserves are held in dollars, and if we were the Chinese government, we would be trying to get rid of them in exchange for gold, silver, euros, copper, oil, or almost any hard commodity. We believe this is happening now. Of course the Chinese government will be aware that if they publicise their moves in advance, this may in itself cause panic, and a run on the dollar. Whatever your views on the intelligence of the Chinese government, we do not expect them to be so stupid as to trumpet their moves in advance. Individuals and investors will need to make their own assessments, and trust their own judgements. Certainly we would rather continue to hold gold and silver rather than dollars or pounds for the foreseeable future.

Euros, SDRs or What?

The Chinese Communist Party have called for a new form of reserve based on the old Special Drawing Right (SDR) system, to be administered by the World Bank or the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This would reduce the role of the US dollar, and spread the risks of default from one major country to a larger number of countries. On the face of it, this seems to be a very simple, but an extremely good idea.

The euro is now a major currency, although it is still quite young, and their are well publicised strains within the euro system. The euro therefore will almost certainly be represented among the currency reserves held by many nations.

It would also mean the any US government which ran large deficits would be found out more quickly, and do less collateral damage to innocent bystanders.

Gold, Silver & Precious Metals 

It is quite likely that any 'international supercurrency' would hold a basket or selection of other currencies as part of its reserves, but it would almost certainly continue to hold a significant proportion of its reserves in gold, and possibly silver.

The private citizen is free, in most civilised countries, to store his own reserves in gold, silver, or other precious metals. In the EU, gold has been officially recognised as an legitimate investment since 1st January 2000, when VAT was removed from 'Investment Gold'.

A significant part of our business is making a market in gold coins and small bars (up to 1 kilo) for individuals and investors in the UK, EU, and elsewhere.

We try to maintain a neutral stance, and state of mind, when attempting to analyse the market, and make forecasts. We try to simplify this as much as reasonably possible.

Gold Bulls?

Most people would probably expect us to enthuse about gold, talk it up, and always recommend it as a good investment and a good buy. We try to be realistic and conservative in our approach. We hope that most of our readers and customers will understand and appreciate this. Sometimes our apparent neutrality causes some investors to postpone or delay their buying decisions. While we regret this, as do most who procrastinate, we would rather maintain our integrity.

On balance, and most of the time, we do remain gold bulls. It was rather frustrating recently. Since gold hit a sterling high of over £690 per ounce on 20th February 2009, it has languished around £570 per ounce between June and August 2009, and we were at the time strongly (for us) suggesting that the drop represented a good buying opportunity, and that the underlying principles above still held good.

We also never cease to wonder why investors lose interest when prices dip off, then rush in once prices have already risen.

It seems to us that many people only buy when prices appear to be going up, when it should be the other way round, prices should start to rise because people have started to buy. Is this a herd mentality? If so, we would encourage any investors to invest some time and effort into thinking about the market, and taking decisive action before the rest of the herd. Be a leader instead of a follower.

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