Simon looks at why we buy and sell gold all around the world.

When did that begin? Why do we continue now we have paper money?

Simon Evans has the answers in this series which asks us to get involved in the funny side of investment.

Rather than being cowed by an apparently complicated and overwhelming system, Simon jumps right in. He takes as his focus four commodities which are so intrinsic to our lives they have an almost elemental significance - land, gold, oil and grain. Yet, despite the fact we encounter them everywhere we look, very few people have been able to build a fortune on them.

All that's about to change as, Simon enlists help from the experts to help brings us closer to understanding of how global economic forces have a far-reaching and often surprising impact on our lives.

Performed by Simon Evans, with regular guests Tim Harford and Merryn Somerset-Webb, , and to talk about the trade in gold, Dominic Frisby.

Written by Simon Evans with Benjamin Partridge, Guy Venables and Andy Wolton.

Producer: Tilusha Ghelani.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in May 2014. Show less