It’s found in coins and bars, and in some of the most striking works of art. Its beauty has made it suitable for the most ornate and expensive pieces of devotional art and its value has brought nations together in trade, and torn them asunder in war. There are few things in the world more connected to the history of humankind than are precious metals. These metals have real uses in addition to their worth as currency, which is a good part of their incredible value.
Gold is the best known of the precious metals. It has been used as coinage since ancient times. Its value is so high compared to other metals that it has sometimes been alloyed with other metals, such as the silver and gold alloy called electrum, to make it easier to spend on small amounts of goods or services. It is employed in everything from some of the most valuable coins in the world to the greeting sent to alien worlds on the Voyager space probe.