France raised its share of world gold reserves from 7% in 1927 to 27% by 1932, and its cover ratio (gold reserves per central bank liability) rose from about 35% in 1928 to nearly 80% within three or four years, demonstrating it was literally pulling gold out of the rest of the world and holding far more than needed.

factualpending

Speaker

Douglas Irwin

Evidence Quote

in 1927, they only had 7% of the world's gold reserves... By 1932, just five years later, they had 27% of the world's gold reserves.

Source

Douglas Irwin on the Great Depression and the Gold Standard 10/11/2010EconTalk
Created: 6/15/2026, 9:36:56 AM

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