> https://www.macrotrends.net/1333/historical-gold-prices-100-...

In nominal terms perhaps, but in inflation adjust terms it's roughly what it hit in 1980:

* https://www.investopedia.com/gold-price-history-highs-and-lo...

https://graphics.thomsonreuters.com/11/07/CMD_GLDNFLT0711_VF...

And there have been long (10y) stretches where it's remained flat: it takes a lot of patience to HODL through something like that. Even if equities (e.g., holding an index fund) are flat at least you get some yield.

With a pure commodity play like gold (or BTC) your only way of returns in price appreciation.