Annealing of gold foil is the process by which 
 1. Contaminants are removed from the surface
 2. Rigidity decreases and ductility increases
 3. Both ductility and propotional limit decrease
 4. None of the above

Annealing gold foil is the process of heating gold to remove impurities and restore its cohesion properties. Annealing of gold foil is a heat treatment process used to alter the physical and sometimes chemical properties of the material. The primary purpose of annealing gold foil is to remove any contaminants and stresses that may be present on the surface of the material. This is achieved by heating the gold foil to a specific temperature, typically around 400°C (750°F), and then allowing it to cool slowly. The process can also help in improving the foil's ductility, making it more malleable and easier to work with. However, the direct effect of annealing on the rigidity, ductility, and proportional limit is not explicitly stated in the question, and thus the correct answer is that annealing of gold foil primarily serves to remove contaminants from the surface.