"Neither the US$ nor any other currency is really backed by gold any more this standard was gradually dropped after the famous Bretton Woods Confernce in the 40s."

Hmmm. Have you noted that a number of countries are repatriating their gold and China has for the last years been stockpiling gold. Hmmm. I wonder why? Do you think it has anything to do with the new bank and their desire to become the new world trading currency? If your country is massively in debt and you have no assets to back your currency, other than to sell your toll bridges, land, water. etc., then what keeps you safe on an economic scale when the pig poo hits the fan? Something tells me that the biggest thing in Fort Knox is the echo. I have my views on where US gold is. Anyone today still thinking in terms of country/patriotism might want to consider the conflict with today's commercial/corporate interests.