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For thousands of years, people have used gold (GC=F) as currency and a store of value. It's estimated that approximately 219,880 tonnes of gold have been mined throughout history, according to the World Gold Council.

Today, governments, corporations, and individual investors own gold. Given gold's prevalence, if everyone sold their gold holdings tomorrow, it would have devastating effects on global economies and currencies.

Related: The best gold IRAs

Gold has been mined for thousands of years, so it's difficult to get an accurate count of how much gold exists. The World Gold Council estimates that the following gold is above ground:

Approximately 98,000 tonnes of gold is jewelry, making up 44% of the gold market

Approximately 51,000 tonnes, or 23% of the world's gold, is in gold bars, coins, and gold-backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs)

Approximately 38,600 tonnes are held by central banks, accounting for 18% of the world's gold

54,000 tonnes of gold are held in reserves

32,600 tonnes are in the other category, accounting for 15% of the world's gold

132,000 tonnes are gold resources

Unlike investments like stocks and bonds, gold isn't traded regularly. Most gold is in the form of gold jewelry or coins, which people hold onto for years (or even decades).

Read more: Gold IRA: Benefits, risks, and how it differs from a traditional IRA

If all investors decided to sell their gold tomorrow, the impact would be substantial, causing one of the biggest financial shocks in history. Here's what you could expect:

As of March 23, 2026, gold was about $4,454 per ounce. A massive gold sell-off would have a staggering impact on the value of gold.

Dumping 200,000 tonnes of gold onto the market would overwhelm demand. As gold flooded the market, prices would likely crash. The spot price of gold would plummet, and some exchanges may impose trading halts or limit gold sales to control market volatility.

If you own physical gold, such as gold bullion or coins, the price of those holdings would decrease. Gold dealers may temporarily stop buying gold, so it may be difficult to liquidate your holdings.

Related: How much gold would $1 million buy at different points in history?

The chaos would unlikely last for long. Eventually, investors looking to make a profit wouldn't be able to ignore the opportunity, and would begin buying gold again. As more buyers enter the market, gold prices would climb.

Central banks hold a significant portion of the world's gold, and they could play a huge role in stabilizing the market. Historically, world governments have worked together to stabilize gold prices and protect global economies, so governments could agree to purchase gold to support higher prices.

If gold's price dropped, it could have implications for other investments and industries. Mining companies, jewelry producers, and manufacturing facilities that use gold components would be impacted, and gold-related stocks and ETFs would experience price dips. As a whole, prices would face downward trends.

While not quite a full sell-off, something similar happened to silver in 1980, according to the Scottsdale Mint. The billionaire Hunt brothers β€” Nelson Bunker Hunt and William Herber Hunt β€” purchased huge amounts of silver. When they started buying the metal, silver was at about $2 an ounce. By the end of 1979, they owned about one-third of the world's silver, and prices were near $25 per ounce.

However, the Commodity Exchange (COMEX) implemented a new rule to curb investors like the Hunt brothers from buying commodities such as silver on margin (borrowing money to invest). As a result, brokerage firms issued margin calls, forcing the Hunt brothers to repay some of their borrowed money, but they were unable to repay the debt.

On Thursday, March 27, 1980, Silver Thursday, the Hunt brothers missed a margin call, and the price of silver plummeted. Its price dropped below $11, a 50% decrease in a single day.

If gold prices crashed tomorrow, it may take some time to recover, but gold has historically recovered within months after market disruptions (in extreme cases, it could take years). Lower prices would attract new buyers, and mines would cut back on gold mining, thereby curbing supply and boosting demand.

Gold also has a longstanding reputation for holding value. And during periods of economic uncertainty, investors turn to gold and other precious metals, such as palladium, as a store of value. Individual investors would be tempted to buy more gold, helping to restore gold prices.

Among central banks, the U.S., Germany, and Italy are the largest holders of the world's gold reserves.

Approximately 54,000 tonnes of gold are estimated in unmined gold reserves, according to the World Gold Council.

It is nearly impossible for gold prices to reach zero. Gold has historically been viewed as a physical asset with intrinsic value for industrial and consumer demand. While prices can fluctuate, gold tends to maintain its price.

If you had $1 million in 1900, you could buy 53,000 ounces of gold. Today, that amount would be worth $278 million. See how gold prices have changed over time.

The two primary gold prices investors should know are spot prices and gold futures prices. Learn the difference, the historical price of gold, and the current dynamics.

Gold has the same high-level risk as any investment. Would-be gold investors should understand the risks associated with price, speculation, opportunity cost, and fraud.

Learn how to invest in gold by considering gold's strengths, historic behavior, and the pros and cons of physical gold versus gold mining stocks and ETFs.

Gold just hit $5,300 β€” but selling could cost you. Learn how the IRS taxes physical gold, ETFs, and mining stocks, plus smart strategies to legally reduce your tax bill.

For investors looking to diversify beyond stocks and bonds, gold is a popular choice. Here's what beginners need to know.