Advantages allure ancient civilizations ancient Egypt asset beauty central bank policies central banks Challenges commodities craftsmanship cultural significance cultures currency currency devaluation currency fluctuations currency strength diversification economic indicators economic instability economic stability economic turmoil economic uncertainty economies economists economy exploration extraction factors factors influencing gold prices Federal Reserve fiat currencies financial asset financial crises geopolitical events geopolitical tension geopolitical tensions global economy global gold market global markets gold gold market gold mining gold prices gold reserves gold standard Governments growth hedge hedge against inflation historical performance historical significance historical trends history inflation inflation rates interest rates intrinsic value Investing investment investment strategy investors jewelry liquidity Malleability market market dynamics market sentiment market volatility Mesopotamia mining monetary policy monetary systems physical gold policymakers political instability power precious metal price movements Prosperity rarity Reserves risks safe-haven asset safe haven Scarcity societies stability store of value supply and demand symbol symbol of wealth Tangible Asset technology trade trends U.S. dollar value wealth world gold price