Gold has been used as a currency for thousands of years, particularly in ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and the Romans. The oldest gold coin still in circulation is the Venetian ducat, first minted in 1284. However, gold has gradually been replaced by fiat currencies like the dollar and the euro, which are no longer backed by the value of gold or any other tangible asset. This has made gold more valuable as a store of value rather than as a medium of exchange.
Protecting savings from inflation by investing in gold. During periods of inflation, gold can protect investors from the erosion of currency value. Since gold is not tied to national currencies, its value can increase during inflationary periods. Inflation occurs when the value of money decreases, which means that the same amount of money buys fewer goods and services over time. While not all financial analysts agree that gold protects against inflation.
Gold could be insurance against hyperinflation. The concern is not an increase in inflation after years of low growth, but hyperinflation, which is why a small portion of the portfolio should be invested in gold. There are other ways to protect savings from inflation, such as inflation-linked government bonds found in both Europe and the United States.
Buying gold for diversification. In addition to the aforementioned considerations, which are the personal opinions of the author of this article, gold can be purchased for portfolio diversification. It has demonstrated a low correlation with other financial assets, such as stocks and bonds, which means it can provide an opportunity to reduce overall portfolio risk.
Liquidity. Gold is one of the most liquid assets in the world, meaning it can be easily bought and sold at any time. This liquidity makes it an attractive option for investors seeking to protect their wealth in challenging times.
In conclusion, gold has historically been an important store of value, which means its value has remained relatively stable over time, unlike other currencies or financial assets that may be subject to fluctuations in value. This characteristic of gold makes it appealing as an option for portfolio diversification.