The price of gold has touched $1,000 an ounce for the first time in six months. This could be a sign that investors believe the recession is over. Others are less convinced about the strength of the recovery are moving into gold, which is usually sought a safe-haven from economic turmoil.

During times of inflation gold is an attractive commodity, it has risen 13.6% in the previous 12 months. This could be viewed two ways. Optimism would have us see it as a sign of recovery, getting out of the recession.

If you take this view, it would be a good idea to buy gold bullion coins coins before their value gets too expensive for you. You will be able to sell at a higher price. On the other hand, if you own any gold bullion coins now would be a good time to sell.

On the other hand you might see high gold prices as a sign that we are still in the grip of the recession as gold is used to protect wealth. This can be seen as the US dollar which normally moves in the opposite direction to gold, has been declining during that same time.

The rising price of gold is due to uncertainty all the way from personal investors right through to institutions. Governments use their gold reserves as protection against drops in their currency, gold is a safe way to store your money.

How interest rates are going to change is one of the questions financers are asking. All that encourages gold hoarding and stock piling.

Gold reached an all-time record of $1,032 an ounce in March 2008. March 2009 was the last time that the price reached $1000 per ounce.

Gold is sold in troy ounces. 480 grains or 31.1035 grams is the equivalent of a troy ounce. Avoirdupois ounces are used as common measurement in the UK and US, one troy ounce is 1.09711 avoirdupois ounces.