Vital Gold Statistics

Of all the chemical elements, gold is one of the densest. It is the metal most malleable. One ounce of gold can be drawn into a wire about thirty-five miles long. Gold is chemically related to copper and silver. It is highly resistant to chemical change and will not be dissolved in common acids. However, gold does dissolve in aqua regia (a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids) and in cyanide.

This segment is a compilation of vital statistics for all the people who might have questions about gold’s physical and chemical characteristics, but do not know where to get the answers from.

• Chemical symbol for gold: Au
• Atomic number: 79
• Atomic weight: 196.967
• Specific gravity: 19.32
• Tensile strength: 11.9
• Melting point: 1,063 degrees
• Hardness (Brinell): 25

Occurence of gold in the earth’s crust: 0.005 parts per million

Estimated mine production: 100,000+ tons since gold was first discovered

First gold coin: Minted by Croesus of Lydia about 560 B.C.

Weights and Measures

• 1 troy ounce = 31.1034 grams
• 1 troy ounce = 480 grains
• 1 troy ounce = 20 punts
• 3.75 troy ounces = 10 tolas (Indian Subcontinent)
• 6.02 troy ounces = 5 taels (China)
• 32.15 troy ounces = 1 kilogram
• 32,150 troy ounces = 1 metric ton (1,000 kilos)
• 1 troy ounce = 1.0971 ounce avoirdupois (United States)