A 1972 Ford Mustang
A new Mustang Hardtop cost about $2,700 in 1972. That amount in gold then could be worth almost $250,000 today.
Golden Stories: A Look Back in Time
A New House in 1970
The median price for a new home in 1970 was around $23,400. That investment in gold could now be valued at nearly $1,000,000.
A new TV Set in 1989
A brand new TV set bought in 1989 would cost around $250. If you'd bought gold instead, you'd have about $1,300 today.
A 1972 Volkswagen Beetle
A brand new "Bug" cost around $1,280 in 1972. Investing that money in gold would yield nearly $130,000 today.
A Nintendo NES Console (1985)
The iconic Nintendo Entertainment System launched for about $199. That money in gold would be worth around $1,200 today.
A First-Generation iPhone (2007)
The revolutionary device that changed the world cost $599 at launch. If you had bought gold instead, you'd have around $2,000 today.
The Best Selling Computer Operating System (1998)
Windows 98 sold for about $95 when it was sold in numbers more than Michael Jackson's Thriller album. If you had bought gold with that amount, you'd have kept about $1,100 today.
The '95 Home PC in Ounces
An average personal computer in late-1995 cost about $1,500. Those dollars invested in gold would be worth around $14,000 today. (The fun was surely worth much more!)
Ever wonder about the true long-term value of things? Instantly compare a past purchase against gold. Enter an amount and date; we’ll compute how many troy ounces that money could buy then, and what those ounces are worth today.
Gold Market Updates
Gold market context, updated daily
Daily gold-market stories in plain English — what moved, why it matters, and what to watch next. Each card opens a dedicated update page with its own story-specific hero image and sources.
Gold Reaches a Seven-Week High as Hormuz Progress Rewrites the Rate Story
Gold held near a seven-week high after four straight gains as Hormuz reopening hopes pulled oil and Treasury yields lower while softer U.S. payroll signals added support.
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Gold Jumps Toward $4,200 as Hormuz Progress Cuts Oil—and Fed-Hike Risk
Gold rose 2.7% to about $4,189 as progress toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz pushed oil lower and trimmed expectations for a September Fed hike.
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Gold Rebounds Above $4,050 as Iran Talks Pull Oil Lower—but the Fed Still Caps the Upside
Gold recovered above $4,050 as U.S.-Iran deal hopes pushed oil lower and a softer dollar improved bullion's rate backdrop, while expectations for a September Fed hike kept the rebound restrained.
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MethodologySee the formula, assumptions, and data sources behind the calculator.
FAQQuick answers about accuracy, troy ounces, limits, and responsible use.
Make the result more useful
Use the calculator as a starting point, then check the assumptions behind the number. These guides explain the formula, the limits of spot-price comparisons, and how to think about gold versus inflation.
Facts About Gold Price History
- The Gold Standard Era: For much of modern history, currencies were backed by gold at a fixed price. In the U.S., the price was fixed at $35 per troy ounce from 1934 until 1971.
- The Turning Point of 1971: The most significant event in gold's modern history occurred when U.S. President Nixon ended the direct convertibility of the U.S. dollar to gold. This de-pegging allowed gold's price to float freely on the open market, causing its value to climb dramatically over the following decades.
- A Safe Haven Asset: Gold is often considered a "safe haven" investment. During times of economic uncertainty, high inflation, or geopolitical instability, investors often flock to gold, which can drive up its price.
- Inflation Hedge: While not guaranteed, gold has historically held its value against inflation over the very long term. This calculator demonstrates that principle by showing how the purchasing power of money invested in gold has often outpaced that of money spent on depreciating goods.
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