Gold prices rose to a maximum of two weeks against the euro and the growth expectations of continuing low interest rates in the United States.

After Bernanke's speech yesterday the euro rose to a three-week high against the dollar, and then reached a monthly peak.

Stocks of the world's largest secured gold fund ETF SPDR Gold Trust on Monday, up more than 6 tonnes, after declining by 10 tonnes last week.

Demand for gold in India - the world's largest market of precious metals - low, because the jewelers on strike in protest against the doubling of import duty on gold.

April futures price of gold on COMEX today rose to $ 1696.9 an ounce and then dropped to $ 1679.5 an ounce.