The New York Fed has a few words to say about gold:
A PHENOMENAL ASSET
For centuries, gold had a profound impact on history, as a symbol and a storehouse of wealth accepted universally around the world. Gold functions as a medium of exchange, particularly in areas where currencies are distrusted. Yet gold has not been without controversy. The influential economist, John Maynard Keynes, referred to gold as a “barbarous relic.” Later in the 20th century, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors, William McChesney Martin, praised gold as "a beautiful and noble metal. What is barbarous," Martin said, "is man’s enslavement to gold for monetary purposes." Clearly, this precious metal has aroused great passion. It undoubtedly will continue to do so long into the future.
Yup. The New York Fed. Which, incidentally, explains why the Fed holds it. All of it. Including Europe's. Here's the reason:
The weight of the gold—just over 27 pounds per bar— makes it difficult to lift or carry and obviates the need to search vault employees and visitors before they leave the vault. Nor do they have to be checked for specks of gold. Gold is relatively soft, but not so soft that particles will stick to clothing or shoes, or can be scraped from the bars. The Bank’s security arrangements are so trusted by depositors that few have ever asked to examine their gold.
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See: it's safe, not rehypothecated infinitely courtesy of the Libor-equivalent manipulated system, GOFO. Which is why nobody wants theirs back. Simple.
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