Gold price on April 20, 2026: Troy ounce closes at US$4,818.82

On Monday, April 20, 2026, the price of gold saw a slight downturn, with the troy ounce closing at US$4,818.82 in New York. This represents a 0.78% decrease from its previous closing value, according to data from Banco República (BROU).

The troy ounce, the standard unit for measuring precious metals globally, is approximately 28.35 grams. Its historical significance is deeply intertwined with the price of gold, a traditional safe-haven asset. The metal's value has been a barometer of global economic and political stability, experiencing significant shifts throughout history.

From the gold standard in the 19th century, which pegged currencies to a fixed gold amount, to the Bretton Woods system established in 1944 that linked the U.S. dollar to gold at $35 per ounce, gold's price has been central to international monetary systems. The system's collapse in 1971, when President Nixon ended the dollar's convertibility to gold, allowed the metal's price to float freely, leading to greater volatility.

Despite fluctuations, gold has shown a remarkable upward trend in the 21st century. Starting the millennium around $300 per ounce, it surged past $2,500 by 2024, driven by successive economic and financial crises. This sustained appreciation highlights gold's enduring role as a hedge against uncertainty and a store of value in turbulent times.