History

Gold Price History

Long-term gold spot price in US dollars per troy ounce. Gold has trended higher over decades as a hedge against currency debasement and crisis.

First

$35.18

1968-01-02

Latest

$4,539.78

2026-05-31

All-time low

$34.78

1970-01-16

All-time high

$5,529.90

2026-01-28

Key Milestones

  1. 1971End of the gold standard. Gold trades around $35/oz before being released to float freely.
  2. 1980First major peak at $850/oz amid oil crisis and double-digit inflation.
  3. 2008Global financial crisis — gold breaks $1,000/oz for the first time.
  4. 2011Post-crisis peak at $1,920/oz as central banks ease aggressively.
  5. 2020COVID-19 pandemic pushes gold above $2,000/oz for the first time.
  6. 2024Gold sets new all-time highs above $2,700/oz on geopolitical tension and rate-cut expectations.