Gold

Antwan Lucas Gold Gold, symbol Au , soft, dense, bright yellow metallic element. Gold is one of the transition elements of the periodic table (see Periodic Law); its atomic number is 79. Pure gold is the most malleable and ductile of all the metals. It can easily be beaten or hammered to a thickness of 0.000013 cm (0.000005 in), and 29 g (1.02 oz) could be drawn into a wire 100 km (62 mi) long. It is one of the softest metals (hardness, 2.5 …

… the United States is centered in New York City and Providence, Rhode Island. On December 31, 1974, the U.S. federal government lifted a 41-year ban on the private ownership of gold. Around that time gold was being traded on the London bullion market at record highs approaching $200 an ounce. After subsequent sharp decreases, prices rose to a high of $850 in January 1980. They then dropped considerably and in the early 1990s settled at about $370 an ounce.