Gold has officially eclipsed its previous inflation-adjusted peak, set more than 45 years ago, in a move that underscores its role as the world’s most enduring hedge against inflation and uncertainty.
This week, gold surged to US$3,674 per ounce, extending a rally that has already set over 30 new nominal records in 2025 alone. Adjusted for inflation, gold has now pushed past its famous January 1980 high of US$850 an ounce (equivalent to roughly US$3,590 in today’s dollars, depending on the method of calculation).
Gold is a very unique asset in its historical ability over hundreds, if not thousands, of years to play that role. With global markets questioning the priorities of central banks and the sustainability of deficit spending, it’s little surprise that investors are looking to gold.
What makes this moment striking is not just the record itself, but how different today’s rally looks compared to the parabolic spikes of the 1970s. The market today is deeper, more liquid, and more accessible than ever before. Central banks, high-net-worth individuals, and everyday investors alike are allocating to gold.
As Carmen Reinhart, former chief economist at the World Bank, observed: “Gold’s role as an inflation hedge was a stamp of its popularity in the 70s and 80s, but you need to look before the 1980s: gold has always played an important role when there’s uncertainty.”
That uncertainty today ranges from persistent inflation and currency weakness, to geopolitical risks and shifting global power structures. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, sanctions, and the diversification of central bank reserves away from the US dollar have only accelerated demand.
One of the most important differences between 1980 and today is accessibility. Investors no longer need to buy and vault large bars to gain exposure. Digital innovation has made gold ownership as simple as holding a token.
That’s where AUS and AGS, the Gold & Silver Standard tokens, come in. Backed by physical bullion stored securely in Reserve Vault, Brisbane, these tokens give investors:
· Direct ownership of gold or silver with full backing and transparency.
· Fractional access, starting from as little as 0.0001 gram.
For investors looking to participate in this historic rally, AUS and AGS are a practical, modern way to gain exposure; without compromising on the trust and security that physical bullion provides.
As Grant Sporre of Bloomberg Intelligence put it, “Gold’s eye-wateringly expensive, but the market is happy to pay the price in order to secure that insurance.” Against a backdrop of uncertainty, it’s clear that investors are willing to pay for protection.
From central banks to family offices to retail investors, gold has returned to centre stage. Its inflation-adjusted record reinforces what seasoned investors have long known: gold is not just a relic of the past, but a resilient, relevant, and future-ready asset.
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