CHICAGO, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Gold futures on the COMEX Division of the New York Mercantile Exchange closed almost unchanged on Tuesday as dollar recovered from its 15-month low. Silver finished a little lower, but platinum rallied.

    The most active gold contract for December delivery edged up 20cents to finish at 1,139.40 U.S. dollars an ounce. In the morning electronic session, the precious metal dipped as low as 1,127.80. The contract hit an all-time high of 1,144.20 on Monday.

    U.S. dollar, the most important factor affecting gold's trend, went up from its weakest level since last August overnight based on oversold technical conditions. Yesterday's comments from Fed Chairman Bernanke regarding dollar also triggered a short-covering rally.

    Dollar also received a boost on Tuesday after Europe Central Bank president Trichet said "the ECB isn't campaigning for the international use of the euro."

    The dollar index, a gauge measuring the greenback's value against other major currencies, gained more than 1 percent to an intraday high of 75.72 shortly before gold pit trading closed. A strong dollar usually reduces gold's appeal of hedge for investors purchase the precious metal as hedge against dollars' depreciation. Gold pared declines as dollar gave up some gains late in the session.

    Analysts indicated that the overnight action has not been sufficient enough to call for a change in the U.S currencies' trend. That means the precious metal has more potential to climb higher.

    December silver was down 1.3 cents to 18.387 dollars per ounce. January platinum rose 17.90 dollars to 1462.50 dollars an ounce.