If you are a fan of crossword puzzles, you might have come across the clue “gold bar” in the New York Times Mini Crossword. This clue has appeared several times in the past, most recently on December 14, 2022. The answer to this clue is INGOT, which is a word that means a mass of metal, especially one cast into a shape suitable for further processing.

But what is an ingot, and why is it related to gold? In this article, we will explore the history, properties, and uses of gold ingots, as well as some tips on how to solve crossword clues like this one.

What is a Gold Ingot?

A gold ingot is a bar or block of pure gold that has been cast from molten metal. Gold ingots are usually rectangular or trapezoidal in shape, and have a shiny yellow color. They are often stamped with a mark or a serial number to indicate their weight, purity, and origin.

Gold ingots are produced by refining gold ore or scrap gold, which are melted in a furnace and then poured into molds. The molds are then cooled and removed, leaving behind the solid ingots. The ingots are then cleaned, polished, and inspected for quality.

Gold ingots are one of the oldest forms of money, dating back to ancient times. They were used as a medium of exchange, a store of value, and a symbol of wealth and power. Gold ingots were also used for artistic and religious purposes, such as making jewelry, statues, and coins.

Why is Gold Valuable?

Gold is one of the most precious metals in the world, due to its rarity, durability, and beauty. Gold is scarce, as it is estimated that only about 190,000 tons of gold have been mined in human history, and only about 50,000 tons are left in the ground. Gold is also durable, as it does not corrode, tarnish, or rust. Gold is also beautiful, as it has a lustrous and attractive color that can be easily shaped and polished.

Gold has many uses in various industries, such as electronics, medicine, dentistry, aerospace, and jewelry. Gold is also a safe-haven asset, as it tends to retain its value or increase in times of economic uncertainty, inflation, or geopolitical turmoil. Gold is also a hedge against currency devaluation, as it is not controlled by any government or central bank.

How to Solve Crossword Clues Like “Gold Bar”?

If you are stuck on a crossword clue like “gold bar”, here are some tips on how to crack it:

• Look at the number of letters and the pattern of the answer. For example, if the clue is “gold bar (5)”, you know that the answer has five letters and might have a vowel in the middle.
• Think of synonyms or related words for the clue. For example, if the clue is “gold bar”, you might think of words like bullion, nugget, or brick.
• Use the crossing letters to narrow down the possibilities. For example, if the clue is “gold bar (5)” and you have the letter T as the third letter, you can eliminate words like bullion or nugget, and focus on words like ingot or asset.
• Use online tools or resources to help you find the answer. For example, you can use a crossword solver, a thesaurus, or a search engine to look up the clue or the answer. According to Daze Puzzle, the answer to the clue “gold bar” in the NYT Mini Crossword is INGOT.