France, 1820: Refined Platinum for (Military) Weaponry

Assuming Coin-Par in Silver (£ 1. = Fr. 23.25) and given a costly transport charge (Fr. 68.50/kg.), the Once rate for refined ingot offered by Cuoq, Couturier et Cie. would appear to be Fr. 16.30 (no mention of bulk discount at merchant-rate to a new client.) However, at the Fall 1819 London sight rate of Fr. 25.15,

1819: 1 Troy Oz Platinum (Paris: Ingot, Whols.) = Fr. 16.565 (Coin)

1819: 1 Troy Oz Platinum (UK: Ingot, Imported) = Fr. 18. (Merchant's Bill)
 
"Once platinum was no longer available from Wollaston, it would have been necessary for Troughton to seek further supplies from abroad, perhaps from France. A note recorded by Wollaston in 1820 shows that Cary acquired some platinum ingots from the firm Cuoq, Couturier et Cie., in Paris; the price charged was equivalent to 16s. 1d. an ounce, of which 1s. 10d. covered freight charges (38).


1820/1: 1 Troy Ounce platina (Paris: Ore, Retail) = Fr. 15.24
1820/1: 1 Troy Oz Platinum (Paris: Scrap, Retail) = Fr. 15.24
1820/1: 1 Troy Oz Platinum (Paris: Semi-Mfg, Retail) = Fr. 2o.32
1820/1: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Paris: Mfg, Ret.) = Fr. 24.38

"I think the friends of practical chemistry in Russia's empire might find useful this communication of a price list for Platinum apparatus which I have just received from Frankfurt am Main, especially since I have been frequently observing platinum crucibles from France as followed.

Previously known to be manufactured by Janety the Younger in Paris (Rue-Colombier, 21 and Rue Neuve de l'Abbaye 14, Faubourg Saint-Germain) are Platinum crucibles, evaporating basins, spatulas, funnels and various chemical equipment : Fr. 24. per Once ; Platinum foil and wire: Fr. 20. per Once ; and Platinum scraps and platina: Fr. 15. per Once. Also assumed to be observed likewise at the Pharmacist Guilbert in Paris (Rue Dauphiné, No. 38)"

Citation: Allgemeine nordische Annalen der Chemie für die Freunde..., Vol. 8;  Alexander Nicolaus Scherer (October, 1822) 





c.1819/20: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (Intrinsic, Retail) = Fr 18.29 (USD$ 3.40)

A member of the School of Pharmacy, Guilbert had a retail dispensary on the 4e & 5e of 38, Rue Dauphine.

*) Platinum apparatus such as spoons, spatulas, dishes, forceps, crucibles, etc. can be gotten from Paris and London.  This glorious metal is now quite cheap in price.  In Paris, an ounce of refined platinum is currently 18 French Francs,  so you can contact Pharmacist Guilbert, Rue Dauphine, Nr. 38 in Paris (also in German, written letters, it is understood under proper safety performance, with respect to the payment.)  Also, Hr. Cuoq Couturier & Comp. Rue Richelieu Nr. 107 in Paris can deliver pure and beautifully crafted Platinum apparatus.

Citation: Vollständiger Inbegriff der Pharmacie in ihren Grundlehren ..., Vol.1, Johann A.Buchner, Achille Richard et al (1822) p.101



c.1820/1, Platinumware 3.33x the price of Silverware, at Jeannetty's.

Citation: Recueil de lois et règlemens concernant l'instruction publique, Vol. 6 () p.39


Presumably, a modestly rising price range for the previous five years.

1817-21: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Refined) = Fr. 15.24 - 18.29 (USD$ 2.84 - 3.40)

Citation: Dictionnaire de l'artillerie, Hermann Cotty (1822) p.337
 

1822/3?: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Refined) = Fr 31.

August 1820 - August 1822:

Citation: Frédéric Soret und Goethe: Correspondence
"...n'auroient point dû nous séduire par l'avance de la modicité du prix à commander plusieurs médailles en Platine... en marge de la lettre je puis les résoudre moi-même, le prix du platine est exhorbitant, il a augmenté de 18 francs par once en quelques mois puisque j'en ai acheté à Paris pour le G. Duc au mois d'Août à environ 31 francs l'once"

c. 1820:  Specific Gravity of Platinum was assumed to be 21.4: