Final answer:
The article discusses the historical significance of gold as a symbol of wealth and power, the impact of European expansion on indigenous populations, and the mercantilist theory that equated national power with gold and silver holdings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best summary of the information in the article "Worth Their Weight in Gold" is that historically, gold has been a symbol of wealth and power, primarily in the hands of the ruling and elite classes. The article discusses how the European powers' trans-oceanic exploration and conquest led to the exploitation and decimation of indigenous populations as well as the imposition of Christianity. It also examines the mercantilist economic theory, which postulated that national power is directly related to the amount of gold and silver a country possesses, setting the stage for intense competition for resources amongst European nations.