100 years ago, a $20 gold piece (containing just under 1 troy ounce of gold) would buy you a high-quality pistol or a well-tailored suit. So would a paper $20 bill printed by the government.
Today, that same $20 gold piece - or a troy ounce of gold - will still buy you a high quality pistol or a well-tailored suit.
Will a $20 bill printed today by the government do the same?
What does the answer say about what the government prints?