USA, 1860: Ritchie's Catalogue (Boston); Lazell, Marsh & Gardiner's Catalogue

E.S. Ritchie & Sons Illustrated Catalogue of Philosophical Instruments, and School Apparatus (1860) offered Troughton and Simms sextant for USD$ 60., the quadrant for $15. 





1858: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (Mfg: Spoon) = USD $ 28.80
1858: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Mfg: Crucible) = USD $ 14.40
1858: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Semi-Mfg: Foil) = USD $ 12.00
1858: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Semi-Mfg: Wire) = USD $ 9.60
1858: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Scrap, SOLD) = USD $ 8.00

1859: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Mfg: Spoon) = USD $ 28.80 
1859: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Mfg: Crucible) = USD $ 14.40 
1859: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Semi-Mfg: Foil) = USD $ 12.00 
1859: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Semi-Mfg: Wire) = USD $ 9.60  
1859: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Scrap, SOLD) = USD $ 8.00

Lazell, Marsh & Gardiner's Prices current of foreign and domestic drugs (1860):

p.16 "Platina, capsules........ 0 03 [cents] grain
[Do.] Crucibles................... 0 03 [cents] grain
[Do.] Foil........................... 0 025 [cents] grain
[Do.] Wire.......................... 0 025 [cents] grain"

1860: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (Mfg: Crucible) = USD $ 14.40
1860: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Semi-Mfg: Foil) = USD $ 12.00
1860: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Semi-Mfg: Wire) = USD $ 12.00  
1860: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Sponge, Trade) = USD$ 10.

1860: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Scrap, Mkt) ~ USD$ 7.25 - 7.66

1860: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Mkt) = USD$ 8.
 

By 1860, the Russian Platinum Rouble had then been demonetized for nearly 20 years, but the US Mint Director's valuation remains the standard Rouble forex (3x $ 0.795 = $2.39)

The second coin, of USA manufacture, dates to the Bollman period. It may be referenced directly to trial-blanks requested by President John Quincy Adams in a letter from 1831.
At 0.7176 - 0.7181 Troy Ounce, the intrinsic value of the actual US Platinum coin  (@ "USD$ 3./oz") was $2.1544 in 1813/4.  The contemporary 1828 Russian Rouble was ~97% pure.

Weight: 344.5 Grains Troy
Specific gravity: 20.9
Diameter: 32.6 mm.

1860: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (US Coin, intrinsic) = USD$ 7.6644 - 7.6588 
1859/60: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Russian Coin, intrinsic) = USD$ 7.23

Citation: A description of ancient and modern coins: in the cabinet collection at the United States Mint; Bureau of the Mint, James Ross Snowden (1860)

Where the Silver Rouble was worth $ 0.795, the commercial value of a 3-Rouble Coin would be USD$ 2.39; the intrinsic value should have been $2.53.

Citation: A description of ancient and modern coins: in the cabinet collection at the ... US Bureau of the Mint, James Ross Snowden


1) 1860: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Rouble Rate) ~ USD$ 7.25

 Exchange Rate in 1858:<

1860: 1 Troy Oz. Gold (Fine, US Value) = USD$ 20.672
1860: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mkt) ~ USD$ 6.89

Citation: American Journal of Numismatics, Vol. 5-8 (Jan. 1874)



1860: 1 Troy Oz. Gold (Fine, US Value) = USD$ 20.672





1860: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mkt) = USD$ 8.

1860: 1 Troy Oz. French Dental Alloy (Trade: Ag/Pt, 70/30?) = USD$ 6.50
1860: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Trade: Sponge) = USD$ 10.
1860: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Bid: Scrap) = USD$ 6.
1860: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (Trade: Whols. ) = USD$ 2.
1860: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (Retail: Dental) = USD$ 22.

The common price (market, or 'Spot') was $8. per Ounce Troy.

Citation: New York Dental Journal, Vol. 3 (April 1860) p.107

Importers' wholesale prices to the trade were on the lower range, $6.50 - 7.50, though likely a French alloy Pt/Ag (30/70?)
 
 

EAL Roberts' prices:
Citation: New York Dental Journal, Vol. 3 (April 1860) p.107

In 1860, the retail price for imported Platinum dental products in Indiana is highly illustrative: Platinum plate dentures were 25% > 60% more expensive than Gold and 108% - 167% more expensive than Silver. (Where the price of the dentist's labor and other parts may be presumed the same, the mark-up is entirely dependent on the metal price.)

Where dental Gold was 19-20k (80-83% pure) and Platinum plate required a greater thickness & weight.

If teeth with rims cost $95.-110., the Platinum may have been billed ~ $60./oz.

Citation: New York Dental Journal, Vol. 3 (April 1860) p.53

Ritchie's Catalogues don't show Platinum prices until 1886, which suggests this Boston wholesaler was not a major dealer/importer of the metal.

Circa 1855 and in 1860, Platinum spatula were sold for $1.50, $2., and $2.50; (1860) Pt pendant spoon & rod $1. Luhme of NYC (1857) and others offered Grove's Battery in various sizes at the same prices, suggesting Ritchie's Pt price in manufactures was higher than New York prices.

Citation: Ritchie’s illustrated catalogue of philosophical instruments, and school apparatus. (Boston) 1860

A successor to Daniel Davis, Jr.'s 1836 establishment, Thomas Hall’s illustrated catalogue of telegraph instruments, chemicals, and materials (Boston : Wright & Potter, 1860) didn't advertise Platinum foil or strips either, but sold the Grove Battery "with heavy Platinum strips three inches and a half long and three-quarters of an inch in width" (2.625 sq. in, or 5.25 sq. in. surface area) for $1.50 (or $2., according to another price at rear.) 

Where Platinum was rated at ~$8./ozt by US Customs, the amount (USD$ 64,572) imported was 8,071 Ozt.


Where the $10 Eagle of 258 Grains (0.5375 Ozt)


As reported in 1907.




Citation: Collection of Pamphlets on Coinage, Vol. 11, Issue #7  p.118

 



Reported in 1878; up to c.1867: