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In 1500 BC, gold was mined in the region of Nubia
(Egypt) one of the richest societies of all time. The demand for this
precious mineral throughout the world was the reason for creating gold
as the international standard in trade. Gold was used because it was the
first metal that could be used to make weapons stronger. Gold has the
property of being highly malleable, but still strong. Gold does not
tarnish or corrode and is a symbol of eternity. Even after other metals
were better than gold for weapons, the gold still was a symbol of
wealth.
Wars throughout history were fought for this established wealth
including Alexander the Great in Macedonia (300 BC), Charlemagne in
Europe (700 AD), and King Ferdinand in Spain (1511). The
"discovery" of the Americas was all in the search of gold.
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Gold ingot |
Thailand gold gilded temple |
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