The Gold Standard Trivia Quiz

Answer:

A large number of people, animals, places and other items have some association with gold - in some cases because of their appearance, in others because they are actually made of gold, or otherwise valuable.

California's nickname of Golden State (as well as its motto, "Eureka!") stems from the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill on 24 January 1848, which was the beginning of the state's economic and demographic growth. This nickname was given official status in 1968. Gold is also the state's mineral; in addition, the state's official flower is the golden poppy (Eschscholzia californica), which blooms throughout California in the spring.

Located in West Africa, on the Gulf of Guinea, Ghana is a former British colony: before it became independent in 1957, it was named Gold Coast. The first Europeans to use this name were the Portuguese (who landed there in the late 15th century), on account of the territory's rich deposits of gold and other precious metals. However, Gold Coast was also a major centre for the Atlantic slave trade. Ghana is still one of the world's largest producers of gold.

Meaning "The Golden One" in Spanish, El Dorado refers to a legendary city or kingdom of gold found in some unspecified part of the Americas. During the 16th century, this legend prompted a number of expeditions looking for these mythical treasures - such as those led by Sir Walter Raleigh in the 1590s and 1617. The legend of El Dorado became conflated with that of the Seven Cities of Cibola: in fact, El Dorado was often believed to be one of these cities. The word has come to mean any place of wealth and opportunity.

One of the five areas chosen for the Normandy landings of 6 June 1944 was given the code name Gold - the others being Utah, Omaha, Juno and Sword. All these names were meant to be short and easy to remember: Gold and Sword in particular were abbreviations of fish names (goldfish and swordfish). Gold was the responsibility of the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division of the British Army, commanded by Major-General Douglas Alexander Graham.

A sovereign is a British coin with a nominal value of £1. Containing 0.2354 troy oz of pure gold, it was first struck in 1817, replacing the guinea. In circulation until 1914, it is often mentioned in literary works written during the Victorian era. Though no longer circulated, and mainly kept for investment purposes (bullion coin), the sovereign is still legal tender in the UK. The obverse of the coin depicts the head of the British monarch, while the reverse, designed by Italian engraver Benedetto Pistrucci in 1817, features Saint George and the Dragon.

The golden wattle (Acacia pycnantha) is a small tree of the family Fabaceae (the legume family) native to southeastern Australia, though naturalized in other temperate regions of the continent and the rest of the world. It has flattened leaf stalks (phyllodes) instead of leaves, and fragrant, ball-shaped, bright yellow flowers. Widely cultivated for ornamental purposes (though also regarded as a weed in parts of its range), the golden wattle was chosen as Australia's floral emblem on 1 September 1988. A wreath of wattle also appears on the Australian coat of arms.

A gold medal was originally a form of national recognition for significant military or naval achievements before the creation of dedicated military awards. Now it is mostly associated with the award given for achieving first place in a sports competition. However, gold medals can also be awarded for outstanding achievements in the arts. While some medals are made of solid gold, those awarded at the Olympic Games are gold-plated or silver-gilt.

Pyrite is a naturally occurring iron sulfide mineral, whose name comes from the Greek word for "fire". Because of its yellow colour and lustrous appearance - superficially resembling that of gold - it has been traditionally given the name of "fool's gold". Pyrite is used in the production of sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid, as well as other industrial applications. Small, faceted and polished pieces of pyrite are used to make marcasite jewelry, which was particularly popular in the Victorian era.

Gold was one of the gifts brought by the Magi (also known as the Wise Men), who travelled from the East to Bethlehem to pay homage to the newborn Jesus. In the account of the Gospel of Matthew (2:1-12), they offered him gold, frankincense and myrrh, all very valuable goods. The gifts have been interpreted as having symbolic value: gold represents Jesus Christ's kingship on earth, frankincense his divine nature, and myrrh his mortality.

In Greek mythology, the hero Jason was sent by his uncle Pelias, who had usurped Jason's rightful throne, to search for the Golden Fleece, the pelt of the winged ram Chrysomallos. The hero embarked on this dangerous quest with a group of other famed heroes (including Heracles and Orpheus), who became known as the Argonauts after their ship, the Argo. Their adventures have been narrated in various literary texts, in particular the epic poem "Argonautica" by Apollonius of Rhodes (3rd century BC).

The six wrong entries are all associated with another precious metal - silver. Argentina means "land of silver"; the Davis Cup is a large sterling silver punchbowl; The Lone Ranger's horse is named Silver; a 25th anniversary is known as a silver anniversary; someone born with a silver spoon in their mouth is born to wealth and privilege; Nevada is known as the Silver State.