Gold clause
Gold clause: A contract term requiring payment in gold coin or in an amount of money measured by gold. House Joint Resolution 192 (1933) declared gold clauses against public policy and made such debts payable dollar for dollar in legal tender; the Supreme Court upheld this for private contracts in Norman v. Baltimore & Ohio R. Co. (1935). Under 31 U.S.C. § 5118(d)(2), that rule does not apply to obligations issued after October 27, 1977.
What gold clause means
In short, gold clause is a term you will meet in court papers, rules and legal research. The definition above gives its usual meaning in American civil practice. However, the exact meaning can depend on the rule, statute or court decision that uses it. So it helps to read the term in context.
Where gold clause comes up
The term is used across many kinds of cases. For example, you may see it in pleadings, motions and court orders. To see it in context, browse the motions and procedures library or the Learn the Law topics.
Read the source: Legal tender.
How to research the term
First, read the term where it actually appears. A rule, statute or court decision may define it for its own purposes. Next, check whether your court has a local rule that uses gold clause in a special way. Then look at recent decisions from courts in your jurisdiction. They show how judges apply the term today. Also, remember that state law can differ from federal law. For that reason, use our state procedures guide to find your state’s rules. Finally, confirm every source is current before you rely on it.
You can read the current federal court rules online for free.
Related legal terms
- GAAS: generally accepted auditing standards — the standards auditors follow when auditing financial statements.
- Gamesmanship: not a defined legal term; courts use it to describe tactics that exploit procedure to gain an unfair advantage instead of resolving the dispute on the merits — for example, hiding evidence, filing to delay, or ambushing an opponent.
- Garnishment: a process for collecting a judgment from money a third party owes the debtor, such as wages. Procedures are set largely by state law.
- Genuine dispute: a real disagreement about a fact, supported by evidence, that a reasonable fact-finder could resolve either way.
Why precise terms matter
Courts read legal terms closely. As a result, knowing the exact meaning of a word helps you follow orders, rules and filings. Each glossary entry on Lawtopolis is short on purpose and links to the pages where the term is used.
Sources
Sources last reviewed: 2026-10-24
Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.