France, 1835: Platinum's Relative Value Evaluated

1835: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (Refined) = Fr. 27.99 (USD$ 5.23)

Citation: Code universitaire, ou lois, status et règlemens de l'université royale de ...Ambroise Rendu (1835) 





1835: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (refined, pure, coined) = Fr. 27.99 (USD$ 5.23)

c.1834:
Citation:De l'histoire et de la nature de la propriété souterraine  ; Auguste Perdonnet (1835) p.19




It's almost inconceivable in this age of simulacra that once upon a time, a gold medal was  actually made of real gold. (The Olympic Gold isn't: it's lightly plated silver.)  Where "prix" is both PRICE & PRIZE, the intrinsic value of a medal's metal is significant.  

The relation of Platinum to Silver and Gold was a persistent question throughout the 19th C., from 1802 to 1900. At the time when Russia had monetized Platinum in proportion to Silver & Gold, the weight, size & value of a Platinum medallion was evaluated in France:

Citation: Bulletin de la Société d'encouragement pour l'industrie nationale, Volume 21, Société d'encouragement pour l'industrie nationale (1835) p.353-4
 


Citation: Le prompt Calculateur: contenant: 1. les principes du Calcul decimal. 2. un ... J. L. Suret  (1837), p.12

c.1835: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Refined, Retail) = Fr 31. (USD$ 5.82)

c.1835/6:

Citation: Médecine légale, théorique et pratique: avec le texte et l ..., Vol. 2  Alphonse Devergie, J.-B.-F Dehaussy de Robécourt p.895




It's almost inconceivable in this age of simulacra "once upon a time" a gold medal was  actually made of real gold. (The Olympic Gold isn't: it's plated silver.)  Where "prix" is both PRICE & PRIZE, the intrinsic value of a medal's metal is significant.  

The relation of Platinum to Silver and Gold was a persistent question throughout the 19th C., from 1802 to 1900. At the time when Russia had monetized Platinum in proportion to Silver & Gold, the weight, size & value of a Platinum medallion was evaluated in France:

1835: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Refined, Medal: Mkt ) = Fr 27.99 (USD$ 5.23)

Citation: Bulletin de la Société d'encouragement pour l'industrie nationale, Volume 21, Société d'encouragement pour l'industrie nationale (1835) p.353-4

 

Citation: Le prompt Calculateur: contenant: 1. les principes du Calcul decimal. 2. un ... By J. L. Suret  (1837), p.12

Where a 40 Fr. silver medal (6.43  Troy Ounces) has a volume of 753.67 mill. and Platinum is 1.9417 times heavier, the weight the same sized Platinum medallion would be 388.34 grams or 12.49 Troy Ounces (@ Fr. 349.52)  

In 1832/3, the quoted US retail price for large platinum manufactured imports was $ 6. - 6.25./oz.  The US retail price was 84% higher than the European ingot price. 

1835: French platina import (80% ore) = 52 Kgs. = 1,672 Ozt.
1835: French Pt import (.999) = 41.6 Kgs. = 1,337.6 Ozt. 

 


Adjusting for Real Inflation since 1835 (8,167%) we can extrapolate the Paris  price for refined, pure ingot Platinum to be $ 432. (in 2009 USD$.)

Where a 40 Fr. silver medal (6.43 Troy Ounces) has a volume of 753.67 mill and Platinum is 1.9417 times heavier, the weight the same sized Platinum medallion would be 388.34 grams or 12.49 Troy Ounces (@ Fr. 349.52)  

Adjusting for Real Inflation since 1835 (8,167%) we can extrapolate the Paris  price for refined, pure ingot Platinum to be $ 432. (in 2009 USD$.)