Why Has Gold Always Been Valuable?

Some people think that gold has no intrinsic value and that gold's only worth is as a material to make jewellery. Others assert that gold is an asset with various intrinsic qualities that make it unique for investors to gather in their portfolios.

• Most would agree that gold has always had value - as a component of jewellery, sometimes as a currency, and as an investment.
• Another part of the value of gold is it's appeal to mystery. Something about the warmth of gold touches our human need for comfort and nurture.

In the old days, a coin of some metal was easier to exchange than to implement a barter system. Of all the metals, gold was the logical choice.

• Metals like iron, lead, copper, and aluminium are prone to corrode over time.
• The "noble metals" like platinum or palladium are too rare to generate enough coins to circulate.
• Gold and silver. Gold is heavier than silver. Gold doesn't corrode and can be melted over a flame, making it an excellent choice to stamp as a coin.