How to use gold price history
History helps you judge whether a quote is reasonable and gives context for timing. If a buyer’s offer looks thin against where the metal has traded recently, it usually is. It does not tell you where the price goes next, and past performance is not a guide to future results.
For selling scrap, the day you sell matters less than the buyer you choose, because the buyer’s percentage can differ by far more than a normal day’s price move. Compare quotes first. See how to sell scrap gold.
About the numbers
Figures are daily closing prices of gold in US dollars per troy ounce, stored from the price feed used on this site. They are indicative reference prices and may differ slightly from other sources.
Frequently asked questions
How has the gold price changed over the last year?
The returns strip on this page shows the change over one month, three months, six months, one year and year to date, calculated from the daily closes stored on this site.
What was the highest gold price on record?
Use the 5Y chart above for the recent peak. Gold prices are quoted per troy ounce in US dollars, so adjust for inflation if you compare across decades.
Where does the history data come from?
It is the daily close from the same indicative price feed that drives the live rate board. It is a reference series, not an official benchmark.
Can I use history to time when to sell?
It gives context but cannot predict the next move. For scrap, comparing buyers usually matters more than the day you sell.
Are these prices adjusted for inflation?
No. They are nominal US dollar prices per troy ounce.