Or the Stephenson novel would outline why the idea wouldn't work (some people suggest in comments melting the gold into the frame of a car, which is specifically avoided in Cryptonomicon).

vs. using it to plate the hull of a ship?

Heh, I feel like an idiot for forgetting that one. :-)

I think you can be forgiven as it comes in around page...3000 of 4000? I'm 50% of the way through the third of three books, so enh.

Or on a 'Breaking Bad' episode.