How gold performed under Jimmy Carter (1977–1981)
Under Jimmy Carter (20 Jan 1977 to 20 Jan 1981), gold rose 301.5%, from $134 to $538 a troy ounce, comparing the monthly averages of Dec 1976 and Dec 1980; silver rose 275.0%.
- Gold
- +301.5%
- $134 → $538
- Silver
- +275.0%
- $4.40 → $16.50
- Gold high
- $675
- Jan 1980
- Gold low
- $132
- Jan 1977
In context
Jimmy Carter's 4 years rank 1st of 11 presidencies since 1971 for gold. Silver did worse than gold, rising 275.0%, from $4.40 to $16.50.
Gold's monthly average peaked at $675 in Jan 1980 and was lowest at $132 in Jan 1977 during the term.
That is a gain of about 41.6% a year, against 8.7% a year for gold across the whole record.
Under Gerald Ford, the presidency before, gold fell 6.3%.
Under Ronald Reagan, the presidency after, gold fell 22.1%.
Democratic presidencies since 1971: 4 of 11.
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