Gold has been used by the countries of the world   as a national currency. Countries have used it and sold enough of it that there is an ever changing price for gold in the economy. As of right now at 10:20 A.M. on September 25, 2011, the price for one ounce of gold is $1656.10. the price of gold has been increasing over the past couple years though because of the rise of oil prices and the rarity of finding it free in nature.