From the dawn of civilization, gold’s beauty and luster have
produced a rare
mythical quality unmatched by any other metal. One of the
earliest and
most valued metals known to man. For centuries men everywhere
have
dreamed of finding gold. Men have mined it, bartered with it,
and even died
for it since the beginnings of civilization. These facts are not
so surprising
when you consider its rarity, durability and unusual properties.
Today gold
has thousands of uses. It can be found in everything from
calculators to
space craft, jewelry and much more. It is virtually
indestructible, resists
corrosion, blocks 98% of radioactivity and conducts electricity.
Its uses are
almost endless and have just begun to be tapped.
LIMITED SUPPLY - Today some 90% of the world’s gold is found in
only
four countries: South Africa, the former Soviet Union, the
United States and
Canada. South Africa has dominated world gold production and
accounts
for about 50% of the total world supply. The former Soviet Union
accounts
for 32%, the United States for 6%, and Canada for 3%. The rest
of the
world combined produces about 9%. The total yield, however, has
been
incredibly small. Unlike other such commodities, because of
hoarding and
stockpiling, each year’s production is a very small part of the
available supply.
An estimated 2/3 of all the gold on earth has already been
mined. Only about
88,000 tons have been extracted from the earth in all of
recorded history.
All of this could be formed into one cube 18 yards high. It is
this scarcity,
along with gold’s beauty, durability, and compactness, that has
made gold the
ideal standard and store of value.
WORLD WIDE LIQUIDITY - Perhaps the most amazing feature of gold
is
its stability as a standard of real value. Although its value
may fluctuate,
history proves its buying power tends to remain the same. Gold
has been the
most coveted metal in the world and the single most trusted
international
medium of exchange for thousands of years. Trade between
countries
frequently is based on gold value as the most reliable currency.
While paper
currencies have been devalued, eroded by inflation, and become
virtually
worthless, gold has maintained its purchasing power. Gold has
been the
established monetary standard for centuries. During times of
inflation,
people have turned to gold for profit and protection. Gold,
unlike paper
currencies or other commodities, has retained its value during
both crisis
and calm periods throughout the history of civilization.
PROVEN HEDGE AGAINST INFLATION -
The primary factors influencing gold prices are anticipated
inflation caused by huge
U.S. deficits and the diminishing power of world currencies. As
people lose
confidence in a government’s ability to control inflationary
pressures, they turn
to gold. While gold prices may fluctuate from day to day in
world markets, the
long-term demand for this timeless treasure can be expected to
continue. The
current gold market conditions offer profitable opportunities;
take advantage
of these opportunities and own gold today.