Gold during the Burns years at the Fed (1970–1978)
During Arthur Burns's years as Fed chair (1 Feb 1970 to 31 Jan 1978), gold rose 321.1%, from $38.00 to $160 a troy ounce, comparing the monthly averages of Jan 1971 and Dec 1977; silver rose 193.8%.
- Gold
- +321.1%
- $38.00 → $160
- Silver
- +193.8%
- $1.60 → $4.70
- Gold high
- $184
- Dec 1974
- Gold low
- $39.00
- Feb 1971
In context
Of the 8 Fed chairs on the chart, Burns's years rank 1st for gold.
Presidents during these years: Nixon, Ford, Carter.
Gold's monthly average ranged from $39.00 (Feb 1971) to $184 (Dec 1974).
Monthly average prices in U.S. dollars per troy ounce (Kitco.com and the World Bank Pink Sheet), from the last full month before a period to its last full month; the record runs Feb 1971 to Oct 2026. What the record did, not a forecast.
Updated Oct 2026 · record through Oct 2026