Gold Standard
Where the standard economic unit is based on a fixed quantity of gold
Real World Example
During the late 1800s, especially during Western Expansion in the United States, the gold standard meant that money was directly tied to a fixed quantity of gold. This was important because it provided a stable and predictable value for money, which was crucial for trade and investment as new territories were being developed. The gold standard responded to problems of inflation and unstable currency values that could harm economic growth. Today, while most countries don't use the gold standard, its legacy continues to influence how people view the value of money and investments, such as how some people invest in gold as a "safe" asset when they worry about economic instability. For example, if there's a financial crisis, people might buy gold coins or bars because they believe gold will hold its value better than paper money.
