Started when Bush won his second term in office. The value of the dollar goes down, price of gold goes up. It's a hedge against inflation. Then I saw the pretty coins available, and started buying those too, paying for asthetics in addition to the value of the metal. My favorites are Chinese 1oz. Pandas (change every year) and Austrian Philharmonics.

I tell everyone, if you can afford it, gold is a good place to save your money long term.