For example, that's about how much the Pentagon spent launching the GPS satellite system. Figuring out the total amount of gold that has been manufactured by man is a little harder. To get at some kind of estimate, let's figure that the world has been producing gold at 50 million ounces a year for 200 years. That number is probably a little high, but when you figure that the Aztecs and the Egyptians produced a fair amount of gold for a long time it's probably not too far off. Consider that the Washington Monument measures 55 feet by 55 feet at its base and is 555 feet tall.
Platinum is even more scare than gold.
Only 3.6 million troy ounces are produced per year. Inc. All rights reserved.