Is it true that saffron is worth more than gold?

Answer 1

Yes and No. It depends on the current value of gold and the current value of the particular saffron you're talking about. It is rare, although not entirely implausible or unheard of, that the value of saffron exceeds that of gold.

The spice saffron typically sells for anywhere between US $500 and US $5,000 per pound (or, roughly US $1,000 to US $10,000 per kilogram) depending on the freshness, quality, demand, place of origin, international markets, etc. All of these factors can and do change the monetary value of the spice (as with any agricultural product).

Gold prices fluctuate as well, and they fluctuate a lot. Gold is currently (early October 2011) just over US $1,600 per troy ounce (precious metals deal in the troy ounce, which is slightly more than the regular ounce we are familiar with). So, currently gold would sell for in the neighborhood of US $25,600 per pound seeing as there are 16 ounces in 1 pound (give a little since troy ounces are slightly more).

So, currently the monetary value of the spice saffron does not exceed that of gold.