The predominance of gold over silver could be attributed to its colour and the consequent link with the many ancient cults of sun worship. Gold has been used as an almost universally accepted currency since the beginning of recorded history and has outlived silver, which, though equally iridescent, is no longer a major factor in international exchange. An example of the unique standing of gold can be found in the time-honoured custom of mariners wearing gold earrings so that, whatever befell them, they would always possess on their person the price of a Christian burial.
Gold is found in many parts of the world but the major sources lie in South Africa.
There are gold mines in the northern part of the USA, in the Russian Federation and even in the UK, where there is a tradition that the wedding ring of the reigning monarch is made from gold from the small mine in the Principality of Wales. See Gold and foreign exchange reserves , Gold coins , Gold standard , Penny , Sovereign , Guinea , Pound . The Penguin International Dictionary of Finance 2. The Penguin Business Dictionary 3. The Penguin Business Dictionary 4.