I bought €34,000 worth of gold in Feb 07, it's now worth just over €40,000 which is a 17% gain. Not great but better than any regular savings accounts here and what with the continuing global financial crisis and the dollar decline, I'm holding on to it. If you look at charts of the gold price in € and $, they've followed a fairly similar pattern in the last 8 years, despite € strengthening vs the dollar. Gold & silver = ancient and trusted form of currency worldwide and classic hedge against inflation, where as Euros and Dollars not backed by gold = fiat currency created out of thin air practically.