Gold prices at historic highs

LAKELAND - The price of gold is the highest it has been in decades -- it's more than $1,150 an ounce, and people are taking advantage of that.

On Thursday, Robert Ziegler brought two gold eagle coins into Hauser's Coins in Lakeland. He thought they were worth about $257. He was pleasantly surprised to find out he was wrong.

"It's about $275," the owner, Nick Hauser told him.

"Outstanding. I think it's great," he said.

People are turning their gold into cash in other ways as well. Folks are digging out their old jewelry and bringing it into pawn shops.

Experts say the price of gold is up because of the weak dollar. It's expected to keep rising and break $1,200 an ounce by the end of the year.

There is also the flip side of the coin. Since gold the value of gold is so high, so is the price of jewelry. Sales have dropped, and with the holidays right around the corner, retailers are bracing for another tough season.