"Your subscriber's list of gold prices was fascinating. Interestingly an investment in an ounce of gold in 1791 would have produced a return of 1.92% per annum if still held at the end of 2010. I wonder what the comparable inflation figure is."

David Fuller's view I do not know but I would be surprised if it was not more than 1.92% per annum. This Brief History of US Paper Money may be of interest. You will also find other related articles on this Google page.


(See also Tim Price's related comments below.)