It was actually the parents of “the greatest generation” who gave it up. My grandparents talked about it; they didn’t give up their few coins that easily.
My Mom and Dad were born in 1907 and 1909 respectively. In 1933 they were struggling to get by, just like most folks were. They sure as heck didn’t have any gold, other than my mother’s wedding band. Their parents didn’t have any either.