How gold performed under Richard Nixon (1969–1974)
Under Richard Nixon (20 Jan 1969 to 9 Aug 1974), gold rose 276.3%, from $38.00 to $143 a troy ounce, comparing the monthly averages of Jan 1971 and Jul 1974; silver rose 175.0%.
- Gold
- +276.3%
- $38.00 → $143
- Silver
- +175.0%
- $1.60 → $4.40
- Gold high
- $172
- Apr 1974
- Gold low
- $39.00
- Feb 1971
In context
Richard Nixon's 3.5 years rank 2nd of 11 presidencies since 1971 for gold. Silver did worse than gold, rising 175.0%, from $1.60 to $4.40.
Gold's monthly average peaked at $172 in Apr 1974 and was lowest at $39.00 in Feb 1971 during the term.
That is a gain of about 46.0% a year, against 8.7% a year for gold across the whole record.
Under Gerald Ford, the presidency after, gold fell 6.3%.
Republican presidencies since 1971: 7 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