Gold has always had value to humans because it is very non-reactive and doesn't corred, and it was easy to smelt and work with since prehistoric times. It is al

Gold has always had value to humans because it is very non-reactive and doesn't corred, and it was easy to smelt and work with since prehistoric times. It is also one of very few metals that is not boring gray/silver. It therefore has always been part of ornamentation and religion. In last century it became useful due to its great conductivity, and so it's used in semiconductors. If you have a gilded book at home, also gold.