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Gold

Warning!

At least some content in this article is derived from information featured in: Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery & Harry Potter: Puzzles & Spells.
As such, spoilers will be present within the article.

"Is this all real? Or has this been happening inside my head?"

The topic of this article is of a real-life subject that has been mentioned "in-universe" in a canon source. The Harry Potter Wiki is written from the perspective that all information presented in canon is true (e.g., Hogwarts really existed), and, as such, details contained in this article may differ from real world facts.

"Gold, filthy gold! We cannot live without it, yet I confess I deplore the necessity of consorting with our long-fingered friends."
— Travers's views on gold[src]
Harry-potter-galleon

Gold (chemical symbol: Au) is a dense, soft shiny yellow metal, with a high value as money and is used in jewellery.[1]

History

The most common use for gold in the wizarding world was in the Galleon coin.[2][3] The Charlatan in the tale of Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump was given a sack of gold for his services, and Babbitty Rabbitty herself was also erected as a gold statue.[4] The legendary Philosopher's Stone could be used to transform base metals into gold,[5][6] implying that gold couldn't be produced by standard means of transfiguration, hence its value as currency.

Behind the scenes

  • Unlike copper, silver or iron, gold does not oxidise and tarnish, hence its long reputation as a supposedly "perfect" substance.

Appearances

Notes and references

  1. ↑ Gold on Wikipedia
  2. ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 5 (Diagon Alley)
  3. ↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 26 (Gringotts)
  4. ↑ The Tales of Beedle the Bard, "Babbitty Rabbitty and Her Cackling Stump"
  5. ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 13 (Nicolas Flamel)
  6. ↑ Writing by J. K. Rowling: "The Philosopher's Stone" at Harry Potter (website)
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