1971 vs 2025: In 1971 $35 bought an ounce of gold. Today it takes $4000 to buy a single ounce of gold. $4000 % $35 = 114.3 So since the end of the gold standard in 1971, the dollar has lost 99.1% of its gold value. What cost $1 in 1971 terms costs $114 today.