Gold: Timeline

900   Merchants from southwest Asia Asia

Asia is the largest and most populous continent [i] or region, depending on the definition.... 

 and India India

India , officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia [i]. ... 

 settle on the east-African Africa

Africa is one of the greatest sized continents of the Earth.... 

 coast, trading gold, beads and metal for ivory and slaves.

1257   King Henry III of England Henry III of England

Henry III was crowned King of England in 1216, despite being less than ten years of age.... 

 orders the production of an twenty pence English coin of pure gold, the first high-denomination coin minted in England England

England is the largest and most populous constituent country [i] of the United Kingdom [i]. ... 

 and the first to use gold. Unfortunately for King Henry, the bullion value of the coins was about 20% higher than the nominal face value, leading to poor circulation as coins were melted down by individuals for their gold content.

1266   In France France

France, officially the French Republic, is a country [i] whose metropolitan territory [i] ... 

, the gold écu and silver Silver

Silver is a chemical element [i] with the symbol Ag . ... 

 grosh coins are minted for the first time.

1284   The Republic of Venice Republic of Venice

The Most Serene Republic of Venice was a Venetia [i]n city-state [i] in Northeastern [i] ... 

 begins coining the ducat, a gold coin Coin

A coin is usually a piece of hard material, generally metal [i] and usually in the shape of a disc [i] ... 

 that is to become the standard of Europe Europe

Europe is one of the seven traditional continent [i]s of the Earth [i]. ... 

an coinage for the following 600 years.

1324   Mansa Kankan Musa I, ruler of the Mali Empire Mali Empire

The Mali Empire was an empire [i] of the Mandinka [i], a Mand [i] people in West Africa [i], dating from ... 

 arrives in Cairo Cairo

Cairo translated the "land of Ra'" It comes from two Coptic words "Kahi" ... 

 on his hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca Mecca

Mecca or Makkah is the capital city of Saudi Arabia [i]'s Makkah province [i], in the historic ... 

. With an entourage numbering in the thousands, and so generous with his gold that the price of gold in that city didn't recover for 20 years, his presence in Cairo is remembered for almost a century.

1539   In Florida Florida

Florida is a U.S. state [i] located in the southeastern [i] United States [i] ... 

, Hernando de Soto Hernando de Soto (explorer)

Hernando de Soto was a Spanish [i] navigator [i] and conquistador [i], born in Barcarrota [i] ... 

 lands at Tampa Bay with 600 soldiers with the goal to find gold. He also introduced pigs into North America North America

North America is a continent [i] in the Earth [i]'s northern hemisphere [i] and almost fully in the western hemisphere [i] ... 

 

1848   California Gold Rush: James W. Marshall James W. Marshall

James Wilson Marshall was an American [i] carpenter [i] and sawmill [i] operator, whose di ... 

 finds gold at Sutter's Mill, in Coloma, near Sacramento Sacramento, California

Sacramento is the state capital of California [i] and the county seat [i] of Sacramento County [i] ... 

.

1849   The U.S. Congress passes the Gold Coinage Act allowing the minting of gold coin Coin

A coin is usually a piece of hard material, generally metal [i] and usually in the shape of a disc [i] ... 

s.

1851   Gold discovered in Australia Australia

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere [i] c ... 

.

1864   Helena, Montana is founded after four prospectors discover gold at "Last Chance Gulch."

1879   The Specie Resumption Act takes effect. The Greenback is valued the same as Gold for the first time since the Civil War.

1893   June 17 Gold found in Kalgoorlie Western Australia Western Australia

Western Australia is Australia [i]'s largest state [i] in area, cove ... 

1896   Skookum Jim Mason, George Carmack and Dawson Charlie discover gold in the Klondike.

1909   Gold discovered near Cochrane, Ontario.

1933   The U.S. Congress abrogates the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

' use of the gold standard Gold standard

The 'gold standard' is a monetary system [i] in which the standard economic [i] unit of account [i] ... 

 by enacting a joint resolution (48 Stat. 112) nullifying the right of creditors to demand payment in gold.

1968   Gold standard Gold standard

The 'gold standard' is a monetary system [i] in which the standard economic [i] unit of account [i] ... 

: The U.S. Congress repeals the requirement for a gold reserve to back US currency.

1974   Restrictions on holding private gold within the United States United States

The United States of America, also known as the United States, the U.S., the U.S.A., a... 

, implemented by Franklin Roosevelt in 1933, are removed.

1983   Brinks Mat robbery: In London London

London is the capital [i] city of England [i] and of the United Kingdom [i]. ... 

, 6,800 gold bars worth nearly UK£26 million are taken from the Brinks Mat vault at Heathrow Airport. Only a fraction of the gold is ever recovered, and only 2 men are convicted of the crime.