October 8, 2010

USA, 1840: US Mint Price's Estimated Price

Several later sources cite this price for what is clearly worked platinum.  This particular authority is the Mint assayer, but the basis for this price estimation is unclear: coin rate or semi-refined ingot?

c.1840: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (imported? market) = $ 6.80
c.1841: 1 Troy Ounce platina (ore) = $ 4.39

The Price of Platinum in the USA was falling in the 1840s.

Citation: A manual of gold and silver coins of all nations struck within the past... By Jacob Eckfeldt (1842) p.111




The isolation of the other Platinum Group Metals was still novel; "purity"claims before this date is therefore highly suspect.  Commercial articles for sale may be supposed impure, through the 19th Century.

c.1840


1840: Philadelphia
Chemical Apparatus in Laboratory, viz: — Pnematic trough, and hydrogen oxygen blow pipes; 1 large and 
1 small chemical furnaces; 2 gasstoves, table blow pipe, platinum crucible; 4glass and 3 iron retorts; specific gravity apparatus for gas; glass tubes; test glasses; evaporating dishes; acids, and other chemicals; 2 mortars and pestles; 1 Argand lamp; photemeter case of drawers; small patent balances, etc. .... $100. 00

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