UK, 1878: Grove's Batteries Cost

c.1878?: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (Refined, Bulk: Mkt) = £ 0.82 - 0.96 (USD$ 4.- 4.66)

c. March 1878:

Where 1 Foil 1x4 Sq.In. = £ .045, ~ 11d.


Mid-1878: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Semi-Mfg, Retail) = >£ 1.60 (USD$ 7.73)

Citation: The British Journal of Photography, (1879), p.137

Where the Platinum Foil was £ 0.20 per unit,

December 1878: 1 Ozt. Platinum (semi-mfg, retail) = £ 1.75 (USD$ 8.46)

Citation: English Mechanic and World of Science: ..., Vol. 28 (January 3, 1879) p.419






The total Unit Cost of a single Grove's Cell w/ one 6" x 2" foil (24" sq. surface) is £ 0.23, where a single foil cost £ 0.14 (@ £ 0.01125 per sq.in.) or 59% of the Unit Cost. At a known Platinum price per oz. troy, there might have been 11-12 6"x 2" platinum foils per ounce troy. Presumably, these are 'smaller' foils (by the sheer number used) - or the Platinum price estimation is off by 50%.

At a known Platinum price per oz. troy. There were 6 6"x 3" foils (£ 0.23 each) or 8 platinum foils per ounce troy. Presumably, these are medium-sized foils.

In Grove's Cell, there were four to six (larger) platinum foils per troy ounce by this estimation.

c.1894: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Semi-Mfg, Retail) = £ 2.50 (USD$ 12.20)

c.1894/5: