The Bundesbank has unveiled a highly informative and richly illustrated new book which takes a closer look at Germany’s gold reserves. Central banking experts explain how gold gradually grew in prominence, first as a form of payment and later as an anchor of stability underpinning the international monetary system. Readers can also find out how the Bundesbank stores and manages the country’s gold reserves and learn more about how this precious metal is mined and processed.

Forging transparency

The publication of this book marks yet another step forward by the Bundesbank, in its capacity as the manager of Germany’s gold reserves, in meeting the wish for transparency,” Executive Board member Carl-Ludwig Thiele told the press at the unveiling of the new book. The idea behind the book, he said, is to give readers a vivid sense of what it is like to touch and feel the gold for themselves, hence the spectacular glossy images of gold coins and bars from the Bank’s vaults.

Germany’s gold reserves came to roughly 3,374 tonnes at the end of 2017 – that’s around 270,000 bars with a value of approximately €117 billion. Following completion of the transfer of a total of 674 tonnes of gold from New York and Paris to Frankfurt am Main, half of Germany’s gold has been stored in vaults in Frankfurt am Main since 2017. When did this gold come into Germany’s possession? How is this precious metal stored in the various vaults? And what makes it such a singular commodity? Answers to these questions, and many more on the subject of gold, can be found in the Bundesbank’s new book Das Gold der Deutschen (Germany’s Gold).

Published by Hirmer-Verlag, the book is available from bookshops or the Bank’s Money Museum at a price of €29.90.

Special exhibition at the Deutsche Bundesbank’s Money Museum

The Bundesbank’s Money Museum is also hosting a special exhibition entitled “Gold. Treasures at the Bundesbank” from 11 April to 30 September 2018. Exhibits include a selection of the most interesting gold bars and coins from the Bundesbank’s collection.