Sir John Templeton, one of the most famous and successful investors of his time, once said: “The four most expensive words in the English language are ‘This time it’s different’.”

Many speculators would have done well to heed his advice as the credit bubble exploded over their heads in mid-2007. The foreign exchange sector, however, looks to be coming to the conclusion the old saying might in fact hold some truth, as traders begin to reappraise the benefits of holding what is the world's oldest currency - gold.