France, 1822 - 1827: Death Spike Event?

Summarizing European Platinum prices for the five years previous to November 1827, von Humboldt's data corresponds to the French dentist F. Maury.

A shortage (c.1820) is alluded to, but contemporaries do not report the elevated price (1820-2) cited by later generations.  A misprint was repeated; in all likelihood, Paris Platinum was 1/10th the price, peaking at 32 Fr/once in 1825 or early 1826.


E. Julia-Fontenelle cited Platinum at 4x the price of Silver and high price for an apparent ten year price range (1812-22.) 

1822: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (refined, mkt) = Fr 2o.32 (USD$ 3.93)


Citation: Manuel de chimie médicale, E. Julia-Fontenelle (1824) p.189


This text accurately notes Platinum's rise (or high-low) from 1817-1823, a five year period.


Citation: Traite elementaire de Mineralogie, By François S. Beudant (1824) p.786


1822: 1 Troy Ounce (refined, mfg?) Fr 311 (USD$60.15 )

Citation: Revue chronométrique, Volume 24 By Chambre syndicale de l'horlogerie de Paris (18 ), p.287.

1822: 1 Troy Ounce (refined) = USD$62.5

Citation: Interstate druggist, Volume 3,  (1902) p.1016

Citation: Quarterly journal of science literature and the arts, Volume 12 By Royal Institution of Great Britain (1822) p.262

1828:

Unknown: