Back in the 80's Gold went over $800 an Oz. However if you look at a chart since then you will see that gold hit a low of $259 an OZ in the late 90's. Since then it has been rising slowly, until this economic crisis hit.

It its' recent TRADING RANGE Gold is at almost it peak of $1030 an oz

to the extent optonics continues to substitute for electronics, gold is less important

it's value is that humans like the glitter

if I ever wanted to get involved in it again, I'd look at the STOCKS of gold mining companies, not the material itself

it doesn't get much more simple than that!

Two months later....
Gold is now at $1118....and not really showing signs of slowing down.

And it's true....adjusted for inflation, gold is not really priced that high at all.

I just wonder how high it may go?
With Obama spending all our money.
With the constant devaluing of the US dollar and no viable replacement for the world's currency of choice.....the Euro, the Chinese Renminbi? Don't think so.
With the instability throughout the world.
Etc, etc, etc.

And I agree with holding gold mining stock as the best.

Check back again in January.

AU is going to be $40,000.00 an OZ before BO is through

Bought mine 10-25 years ago. Should have bought more...

I'm not normally a gambling man but I'd cover a bet for a few oz's on that.
Jim

I should have bought some gold when it was less than 900/oz this summer... I think the trend will continue to increase in a series of up/down spikes.

Don't listen to these guys ;)

I asked the same question over a year ago and could have done quite nicely. A month ago I invested with the guys who mine the stuff and the shares are doing OK http://moneycentral.msn.com/detail/stock_quote?Symbol=AU%3ABHP

There was a report on NBR last week about gold mining shares v.s bullion and the market. Something about India hording gold helping to drive the price up among other things.

Tabs..........if gold does get to 40,000 before BO gets out of office, I might be inclined to buy you that ultimate spoon but then again when it does get there the dollar ain't worth squat but then again that is what the big boys want, new world order.