Colombia, 1916: Global Price Death Spike

In 1916, Cartagena market prices for platina were higher than US (contract) import prices because of excess (non-contract) European demand. 

1916: 1 Troy Oz. platina (Colombia: avg. exp.) = C$ 61.515 (USD$ 59.87)
1916: 1 Troy Oz. platina (Colombia: intrinsic Pt, 82%) = C$ 75. (USD$ 73.)
1916: 1 Troy Oz. platina (USA: official Colombian import) = USD$ 57.59
1916: 1 Troy Oz. platina (USA: Col. imp., intrinsic) = USD$ 70.23 

Colombian Source, High Price
March 1, 1916: 1 Troy Oz. platina (Cartagena mkt: 82% ore) = C$ 85.
March 1, 1916: 1 Troy Oz. platina (Cartagena: intrinsic) ~ C$ 103.66

March 1, 1916: 1 Troy Oz. platina (Choco mkt: 82% ore) = C$ 35. - 50.
March 1, 1916: 1 Troy Oz. platina (Choco: intrinsic) ~ C$ 42.70 - 61.

February, 1916: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (NYC: .999 ingot) = USD$ 90.05
March, 1916: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (NYC: .999 ingot) = USD$ 90.75
April, 1916: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (NYC: .999 ingot) = USD$ 83.10

Citation: "Colombia: An Industrial & Commercial Handbook" P.T. Bell, Special agents series, Issue 206  US Bureau of Manufactures, 1921









1916: High 'market prices' inconsistent with recorded import prices suggest (lower) pre-existing contract prices.  Presumably, 'small lots' of platina were sold at market to independent dealers ("Italians"?) at disadvantageous rates.

Citation: The National Druggist, Vol. 46 May, 1916 p.36


Citation: The Jewelers' Circular, Vol. 75, Issue 1, (Aug. 1917) p.47