Gold soared as much as 8 percent to its highest in more than two years on Friday after Britain delivered a shock vote to leave the European Union, sending investors scurrying for protection in bullion and other assets perceived as lower risk.
In sterling terms, gold delivered double-digit percentage gains to top 1,000 pounds an ounce for the first time in more than three years, rallying as much as 21 percent in early trade, while euro-priced gold rose as much as 13 percent.
Spot gold peaked at $1,358.20 per ounce and was up 5.15 percent at $1,319.86 an ounce. U.S. gold futures for August delivery settled up $59.30 at $1,322.40, and were last up $59.70 an ounce at $1,322.50 off an early high of $1,362.60 an ounce.
Shares of gold mining companies also rocketed higher, with a fund tracking the industry opening nearly 8 percent higher.