Gold

Gold is a precious metal highly valued in the wizarding world for its use in currency, its role in creating powerful magical artifacts, and its symbolic representation of wealth and status. It is the material of the highest denomination of wizarding currency, the Galleon, and is stored in high-security vaults at Gringotts Wizarding Bank. Furthermore, gold is a key component in Alchemy and is used to craft a variety of enchanted objects, from everyday items at Hogwarts to legendary artifacts like the Founders' relics.

The primary function of gold in the wizarding economy is as the basis for the Galleon, the largest and most valuable coin in Wizarding Britain.

• Galleons: These thick, gold coins are the standard for significant transactions, from purchasing a wand at Ollivanders to the one-thousand Galleon prize for the Triwizard Tournament. The vast fortunes of old wizarding families, such as the Potter family and the Malfoy family, are typically held in Galleons within their Gringotts vaults.
• Gringotts Wizarding Bank: Run by goblins, who are themselves master metalsmiths, Gringotts is the central bank of the wizarding community and the most secure place to store gold and other valuables. The security of the vaults is legendary, protected by complex enchantments and creatures like dragons.
• Leprechaun Gold: This is a form of counterfeit gold, magically created by leprechauns, which famously vanishes after a few hours. It appeared prominently during the Quidditch World Cup in 1994, where it was showered upon the crowd. Ludo Bagman used it to attempt to pay off his gambling debts to goblins, which is a serious offense.

Gold is not merely a monetary metal; it possesses properties that make it suitable for containing and conducting powerful magic.

• Alchemy: A central goal of Alchemy is transmutation, the art of turning base metals into pure gold. The most famous object capable of this was the Philosopher's Stone, created by the renowned alchemist Nicolas Flamel.
• Enchanted Objects: Gold is used to craft items that hold powerful enchantments. The plates, goblets, and cutlery in the Great Hall at Hogwarts are all made of gold and are enchanted to fill with food from the kitchens below at mealtimes.
• Containment of Dark Magic: Several of Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes were housed in gold objects. The material's durability and innate value made it a fitting vessel for a piece of his soul.
• Goblin-Made Metalwork: Goblins are considered the most skilled craftsmen when working with precious metals, including gold. Their work is often imbued with unique magical properties, such as the way goblin-made armor and weapons repel dirt and imbibe only that which makes them stronger.

Numerous significant objects throughout the series are made of or feature gold.

• Golden Snitch: A tiny, winged golden ball used in the game of Quidditch. The Seeker who catches it wins their team one hundred and fifty points and ends the game. The Snitch that Harry Potter caught in his first match was later enchanted by Albus Dumbledore to hold the Resurrection Stone.
• Slytherin's Locket: A heavy gold locket bearing the mark of Salazar Slytherin. It was passed down through his descendants and eventually turned into a Horcrux by Lord Voldemort.
• Hufflepuff's Cup: A small, two-handled golden cup that belonged to Helga Hufflepuff. It was stolen by Lord Voldemort from Hepzibah Smith and also transformed into a Horcrux.
• The Golden Egg: The clue given to the Triwizard Tournament champions after the First Task. When opened on land, it emitted an ear-splitting shriek, but when opened underwater, it revealed a song with a clue about the Second Task.
• Dumbledore's Watch: A gold pocket watch with twelve hands but no numbers, showing tiny planets moving around the edge.
• Fountain of Magical Brethren: A large golden statue group that once stood in the atrium of the Ministry of Magic. It depicted a wizard, a witch, a centaur, a goblin, and a house-elf. It was later destroyed and replaced by the “Magic is Might” statue during Voldemort's control of the Ministry.
• Head Boy and Head Girl Badges: While Prefect badges are silver, the badges awarded to the Head Boy and Head Girl at Hogwarts are made of gold.

• The classic alchemical pursuit of turning lead into gold, as featured with the Philosopher's Stone, is a direct parallel to historical myths and legends surrounding alchemy in the Muggle world.
• In the film adaptations, the Gringotts vaults are shown to be overflowing with mountains of gold Galleons, visually emphasizing the wealth of families like the Potters and Lestranges. (film)
• The designs for the Galleon coins created for the films feature a dragon on one side and the serial number of the goblin who cast it. (film)