1cm³ made of iridium or other precious metals

Precious metals are traditionally traded on the global markets in dollars per ounce. The ounce is merely a historical measure, just like the barrel for crude oil. Neither measure has anything to do with the metric system.

We have noted two developments over recent years: people have lost confidence in the bigest currencies like dollar and euro, while natural resources in general have gained in importance, because we have become aware of their finite nature.
For example, if OPEC should lose confidence in the dollar in the future, owing to its volatility, then a different currency or a basket of currencies would become the trading currency for crude oil. An alternative could be the euro, with the unit of measurement being converted at the same time to cubic metres.

The same applies to precious metals: conversion to the metric unit cm3 would also be a great advantage.

In the periodic system, all elements (including precious metals) are defined by density (= weight per cm3). Therefore, if we manufacture a precisely 1 cm cube out of a precious metal, it can be unequivocally identified, by measuring and weighing it, on the basis of its individual density.

The system can only be abused using elements that are equally heavy or heavier, but these are generally more expensive because they are also rarer.

Iridium is in a unique position. Firstly, this precious metal from the platinum group is the heaviest natural element there is (22.65 g/cm³). Secondly however, it is relatively cheap, owing to its limited technical fields of application.

One cm³ of iridium weighing 22.65g will remain forever forgery-proof.
One thing is certain: technical progress and the determination of criminals worldwide mean that regardless of the level of sophistication of their features, banknotes will continue to be targeted by forgers.
Equally, the online abuse of paperless money already far exceeds forgery levels. The fact that paperless money is globally regulated is a further important factor.

It is not surprising, given the current shape and size of gold bars, that gold-covered bars with a forged core are already appearing on the market. They are difficult to examine, and such forgeries have been around since time immemorial.

The introduction of a volume measure for precious metals, and converting from ounces (31.1g) to 1cm³, would create a further quasi forgery-proof currency. This would immediately be tradable in every freely-convertible currency. Removing the ounce from the equation would do away with the dollar pricing, the origins of which are just as purely historical as those of the ounce itself.

All that is needed to check the authenticity of the precious metal would be a calliper gauge and accurate scales. The density established in this way would unequivocally identify the cube.

Here is a rotating cube, size 3x3x3, made up of 27 individual cubes. If it is really made out of iridium, such a cube must weigh 3x3x3x22.65 grammes, i.e. 611.55 grammes. Since no heavier element exists, the cube cannot be forged out of lead or any other material of lesser value.

The cube system can therefore be described as something of an independent reserve currency, and so can help impose discipline on other currencies.

Systems tend to be considered all the more unfair, the more complicated and confusing they are, examples being the German tax system and the global financial system.

In contrast, the extremely simple cube system is based on a natural law that cannot be abused. Therein lies its attraction:

in contrast to central banks, nature is apolitical.