Gold prices hit their highest level since late February, with some investors drawn to the precious metal's safe haven properties as a radical bailout package for Cyprus shook sentiment in the euro zone. Spot gold gained 1.2 percent to a fresh high since February 27 at $1,610.81 an ounce and was at up $12.80, or 0.80 percent, at $1,604.64 an ounce at 2:01 pm EDT (1802 GMT).
US gold futures for April delivery also hit a 2-1/2-week high, at $1,610.40 an ounce. They settled at $1,604 per ounce, up 0.75 percent from Friday. Spot silver rose 0.84 percent to $28.91 an ounce. Platinum was down 0.74 percent at $1,576.24. Palladium fell 1.04 percent to $760.00.