Augrim stones were used for counting and basic mathematics. More generally, augrim refers to reckoning with Arabic numerals, that is, counting and calculating. It is supposed that "augrim" is an Old English corruption of "algorithm," which is itself a corruption of "al-Khuwarizimi," a reference to 9th Century Arab mathematician Abu Jafar Muhammed ibn Musa al-Khuwarizmi, who wrote a book entitled al-jabr wa al-muqabalah ("Calculating by Restoration and Reduction"). This is also the source of the word "algebra."   Au (from the Latin aurum) is also the symbol for Gold. It has an atomic number of 79 and an atomic weight of 196.9665.

Ag (from the Latin argentum) is also the symbol for Silver. It has an atomic number of 47 and an atomic weight of 107.8682.

Historic Price Data

London Bullion Market Association, London Gold and Silver Statistics

Prediction

Ten findings from William Sherdan's The Fortune Sellers: The Big Business of Buying and Selling Predictions:

1. The forecasting skill of economists is on average about as good as guessing. In fact, predictions by the politically driven Council of Economic Advisors, Federal Reserve Board and Congressional Budget Office were often worse than guessing.
2. Economists cannot predict the turning points in the economy. Of 48 predictions made by economists, 46 missed the turning points.
3. Economic forecasting accuracy declines with longer lead times.
4. No economic forecasters consistently lead the pack in accuracy.
5. No economic ideology consistently produces superior forecasts.
6. No economic forecaster has consistently higher forecasting skills predicting any particular economic statistic.
7. Consensus forecasts do not improve accuracy (although the press loves them).
8. Psychological bias affects forecasters and their forecasts. Some economists are naturally optimistic and bullish, others are consistently pessimistic bears.
9. Increased sophistication provides no improvement in forecasting accuracy. Remember the Long-Term Capital Management hedge fund? Two brilliant Nobel Economists backed by Wall Street's elite nearly sabotaged the world economy.
10. There is no evidence that economic forecasting has improved in recent decades. In fact, forecasting appears to be deteriorating as partisan politics, Wall Street gaming and unpredictable global events invent new illusions.