A catalyst for selective hydrogenation of acetylene including a high surface area support material with a surface area at least about 150 m²/g and gold wherein the gold comprises from about 0.05 to about 5.0 weight percent of the catalyst and wherein the depth of penetration of the gold into the support material is such that at least about 90 percent of the gold is located within about 250 microns of the surface of the catalyst. A noble metal additive may also be included in the gold catalyst.