UK, 1906

January, 1906: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (ingot, 85%, mkt) = £ 4.76 (USD$ 23.17)
January, 1906: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (ingot at purity) ~ £ 5.60 (USD$ 27.25)


October, 1906: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (ingot, mkt) = £ 7.98 (USD$ 38.83)
October, 1906: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (ingot at purity) ~ £ 9.39 (USD$ 45.69)

Citation: The Mineral Industry, Vol. 17, 1909 p.314

March 1906:

September 1906:

Late Sept. 1906:


November 1906:



Dec. 1906:
Citation: Pharmaceutical Journal, Vol. 78? (1/12/1907) p.45



Dec. 1906?:
Dec. 1906?: 1 Ozt. Pt (Scrap, Bid) = £ 6.50 (USD$ 31.45)
Dec. 1906?: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Refined, Retail) = £ 8.50 (USD$ 41.12)

Citation: The British Journal of Photography, Vol. 54, 2/2/1907 p.78 







An article that was re-published in the USA in August (July, to printers) first appeared in an English journal in April/May; the price data was February-March, 1906. It is mentioned that Hopkins & Williams, Ltd. of London published a chemical catalogue in 1906 (?) but recorded no prices.

Platinum scrap was bought at 77% the retail price for refined sheet/wire Platinum.

February, 1906: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (scrap, bought) = £ 4.25 (USD$ 20.68)
February, 1906: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (semi-mfg, retail) ~£ 5.-6. (USD$ 20.43-29.20)
c. June, 1906: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (mfg, retail) ~ £ 6.50 (USD$ 31.63)

Citation: The American amateur photographer, Vol. 18, August 1906, pp.390-1



This article appeared in an Boston (USA) journal from December 1906, referencing a UK advertisement placed in September, 1906. The Price Spike was blamed on two key factors with allusion to a third, and to which we add the obvious fourth:

1) Marginal supply disruption: Transvaal Mines, inoperable since 1900?
2) Russian Revolution of 1905 prevented increased output
3) German and other nations began strategically stockpiling/hording
4) Speculation (advertisements) occurred among key players and in the broader market

Platinum scrap was bought for 65% the average retail price for refined, (manufactured?) Platinum.

Late Sept. 1906: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (scrap, bought) = £ 5.5 (USD$ 26.77)
Sept./Oct. 1906: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (semi-mfg, retail) ~ £ 7.15 (USD$ 34.80)
Sept./Oct. 1906: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (mfg, retail) ~ £ 8. - 9. (USD$ 38.93-43.80)

Citation: Photo-era magazine, Vol.17 Ed. Juan C. Abel, Thomas Harrison Cummings, et al. (1906) p.396.


Where a 'Young Head' Full Sovereign of Queen Victoria weighted 7.98 g (7.315 g pure Gold) we may assume 7.3 g of pure Platinum valued at £ 2. intrinsic at the money-changers.

c. October, 1906: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (London, scrap) ~ £ 8.52 (USD$ 41.47)

Citation: American Journal of Numismatics, Vols 42-43 Ed. Charles Edward Anthon



Sextant, in Platinum or Silver