Foreign Gold Stored in US: Complete Holdings by Country 2026
Total Foreign Gold in US
~6,200 tonnes
~199 million troy ounces
Current Market Value
$1.0+ Trillion
@ $5,100/oz (Jan 2026)
Primary Storage Location
NY Fed Vault
80 feet below Manhattan
Foreign Account Holders
36+ Nations
Central banks & institutions
💡 Key Facts About Foreign Gold Storage
- World's Largest Repository: The NY Fed vault holds ~6,331 metric tons total (~507,000 gold bars)
- 98% Foreign Owned: Nearly all gold in the NY Fed vault belongs to foreign governments, not the US
- Bretton Woods Legacy: Most gold arrived during 1944-1971 when currencies were backed by gold
- Repatriation Movement: Many countries have retrieved their gold since 2010 (Germany, Netherlands, Venezuela)
- No Commingling: Each bar is numbered and returned to the exact owner - gold is never mixed between accounts
Foreign Gold Holdings by Country
Top Foreign Gold Holders in the United States
| Country | Amount in US | % of Their Total Reserves | Total National Reserves | Est. Value in US (@ $5,100/oz) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇩🇪 Germany | ~1,236 tonnes | 37% | 3,352 tonnes | $203 billion |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | ~1,060 tonnes | 43% | 2,452 tonnes | $174 billion |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | ~190 tonnes | 31% | 613 tonnes | $31 billion |
| 🇱🇧 Lebanon | ~140 tonnes | ~40% | ~350 tonnes | $23 billion |
| 🇮🇳 India | Significant holdings | Unknown | 822 tonnes | Unknown |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | Significant holdings | Unknown | 227 tonnes | Unknown |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | Holdings present | Unknown | 1,040 tonnes | Unknown |
| Other Nations | ~4,500 tonnes | Varies | Various | $740 billion |
| TOTAL FOREIGN | ~6,200 tonnes | - | - | $1.0+ trillion |
Storage Location Details
Federal Reserve Bank of New York Vault
🏛️ Federal Reserve Bank of New York Gold Vault
- Location: 80 feet below street level, 50 feet below sea level in Manhattan
- Total Capacity: ~507,000 gold bars (~6,331 metric tons)
- Security: 90-ton steel cylinder door, reinforced concrete, 24/7 monitoring
- Account Holders: 36+ foreign governments, central banks, IMF, and other international organizations
- Compartments: 122 separate vaults - each account holder has their own secured compartment
- Bar Weight: Each bar weighs approximately 28 pounds (400 troy ounces)
- Handling Fee: $1.75 per bar for movements between compartments
- Staff Protocol: Three Fed staff members required for every transaction
Why Foreign Nations Store Gold in the US
| Reason | Explanation | Historical Context |
|---|---|---|
| Post-WWII Security | Fear of Soviet invasion during Cold War | 1945-1989: European nations stored gold far from Soviet threat |
| Bretton Woods System | Global currencies pegged to US dollar at $35/oz | 1944-1971: Trading nations accumulated gold reserves in NY |
| Trading Convenience | New York as global gold trading center | Quick access to US currency in major trading hub |
| Vault Security | World's most secure gold storage facility | Bedrock foundation, military-grade security, proven track record |
| Geopolitical Stability | US considered safe jurisdiction | Political stability and property rights protection |
Gold Repatriation Movement (2010-Present)
Major Gold Repatriation Operations
| Country | Years | Amount Repatriated | Reason | Remaining in US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 2013-2017 | 300 tonnes from NY, 374 from Paris | Public demand for domestic storage, financial independence | ~1,236 tonnes (37%) |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 2014 | 122.5 tonnes from NY | "Better to have gold near at hand" during financial crisis | ~190 tonnes (31%) |
| 🇻🇪 Venezuela | 2011-2012 | 160 tonnes ($9B value) | President Chávez's nationalist policy | None (all repatriated) |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | 2015+ | Ongoing from London | Risk diversification | Minimal |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | 2014+ | Amount undisclosed | Sovereignty concerns | Unknown |
📊 2025 Repatriation Pressures
- Germany: Politicians renewed calls for further repatriation amid Trump tariff concerns
- Italy: Domestic pressure to bring home $75 billion worth of gold from NY Fed
- Global Trend: 59% of central banks now hold gold domestically (up from 41% in 2024)
- Trust Issues: Concerns about US political stability and Fed independence
- Cost: Germany's 2013-2017 operation cost €7 million to move 674 tonnes
🏺 Priceless Artifacts Stored for Foreign Governments
Historical Safeguarding at Fort Knox & Other US Facilities
Beyond gold, the United States has served as custodian for priceless cultural treasures and historical artifacts belonging to foreign nations, particularly during times of war and geopolitical instability.
👑 Crown of St. Stephen (Hungary)
Stored: 1945-1978 (33 years)
The Holy Crown of Hungary, dating to the year 1000, was given to US forces by Hungarian Crown Guard to prevent Soviet seizure. Stored at Fort Knox with full royal regalia including scepter, orb, and coronation mantle. Considered divine and more powerful than the king himself.
✓ Returned to Hungary by President Carter in January 1978
📜 Magna Carta (England)
Stored: 1939-1947 (8 years)
One of four original copies of the 1215 Magna Carta was sent to the British Pavilion at the 1939 New York World's Fair. When WWII erupted, it was transferred to Fort Knox for safekeeping rather than risk return voyage across Atlantic.
✓ Returned to Lincoln Cathedral in 1947
📖 US Constitution & Declaration
Stored: 1941-1944 (3 years)
Two weeks after Pearl Harbor, America's founding documents were secretly moved from Washington DC to Fort Knox. Sealed in lead containers within 150 pounds of protective gear. Also included Articles of Confederation and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address drafts.
✓ Returned to Washington DC in 1944 (US documents, not foreign)
📚 Gutenberg Bible & Other Texts
Stored: 1941-1944 (WWII)
Priceless texts from the Library of Congress, including a Gutenberg Bible and an exemplified copy of Magna Carta, were stored at Fort Knox during WWII. Librarian Archibald MacLeish personally cataloged "irreplaceable assets" for underground storage.
✓ Returned after WWII
💊 Strategic Opium & Morphine
Stored: 1955-1993 (38 years)
Defense Logistics Agency stored 68,269 pounds of opium and morphine at Fort Knox and West Point - enough for one year of US medical needs. Precaution against supply disruptions during potential war with limited poppy exporters.
✓ Converted to morphine sulfate and removed after Cold War (US property, not foreign)
🎨 Other Wartime Storage
Various periods
Fort Knox and other secure US facilities have served as temporary custodians for various cultural treasures during wartime, including valuable paintings, historical documents, and artifacts from allied nations seeking protection from Nazi and Soviet threats.
Most items returned to countries of origin post-war
Current Controversies & Transparency Issues
| Issue | Concern | Status |
|---|---|---|
| US Gold Audit | Last comprehensive audit was 1953 (only 5% tested) | House Bill 3795 proposes first full audit in 60+ years |
| Ownership Questions | Concerns about whether gold has been pledged, leased, or swapped | No independent verification; Treasury claims all gold accounted for |
| Foreign Access | Germany & Italy politicians question ability to retrieve gold quickly | Fed maintains gold can be withdrawn anytime; $1.75 per bar fee |
| Trump Administration | Concerns about Fed independence and potential political interference | European nations reassessing US custody arrangements |
| Transparency | Limited public access; only 3 official visits since 1974 | Treasury publishes monthly reports but no independent audits |
Official Data Sources:
• Federal Reserve Bank of New York - Gold Vault
• World Gold Council - Central Bank Gold Reserves
• Deutsche Bundesbank - Official Reports
• Banca d'Italia - Reserve Data
• United States Mint - Fort Knox Information
• Jimmy Carter Presidential Library - Crown of St. Stephen
Additional References:
• IMF International Financial Statistics
• Bank for International Settlements Reports
• US Congressional Records on Gold Repatriation
Last Updated: January 2026 | Gold price data as of January 26, 2026 (~$5,100/oz)
Note: Foreign gold holdings are estimates based on available public data. Some nations do not disclose exact storage locations.
• Federal Reserve Bank of New York - Gold Vault
• World Gold Council - Central Bank Gold Reserves
• Deutsche Bundesbank - Official Reports
• Banca d'Italia - Reserve Data
• United States Mint - Fort Knox Information
• Jimmy Carter Presidential Library - Crown of St. Stephen
Additional References:
• IMF International Financial Statistics
• Bank for International Settlements Reports
• US Congressional Records on Gold Repatriation
Last Updated: January 2026 | Gold price data as of January 26, 2026 (~$5,100/oz)
Note: Foreign gold holdings are estimates based on available public data. Some nations do not disclose exact storage locations.