March 25, 2014

Germany, 1887

1887: 1 Kilogram Russian Ore ~74.8% = ℳ 552.3 (304.85 руб Kr) ~ USD$ 131.63  
1887: 1 Kg. Russian Pt .999 = ℳ 738.4 ~ USD$ 176.

1887: 1 Troy Ounce Russian platina (Export) = ℳ 17.18 (USD$ 4.094 )
1887: 1 Troy Oz. Russian Pt (Export, .999) = ℳ 22.97 (USD$ 5.474) 

1887: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (Semi-mfg, Whols.) = ℳ 31.29 (USD$ 7.458)
1887: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (NYC: Semi-mfg, Imported) ~ ℳ 31.47 (USD$ 7.50)
1887: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (NYC: Semi-mfg, Mkt) ~ ℳ 32.73 (USD$ 7.80)

1887: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (London: .999, Ret?) ~ ℳ 35.67 - 40.76 (£ 1.75 - £ 2.)
1887: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (UK: Mfg, Ret) ~ ℳ 39.54 (£ 1.94)

Citation: Die Metalle: Geschichte, Vorkommen und Gewinnung, nebst ausführlicher ...Bernhard Neumann p.363


March 22, 2014

Germany, 1886

1886: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (Germany: Mkt.) = ℳ 27.993

1886: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (Germany: Mkt.) = ℳ 4.23

1886: 1 Troy Oz. Gold (Germany: Mkt.) = ℳ 86.7787


In the spring of 1886, the prices for 1 kg of Silver was ℳ 186, Platinum ℳ 900, Gold ℳ 2,790

Citation: Encyklopädisches Handbuch der technischen Chemie, Vol.3



Increased Consumption makes the Platinum price currently rise again.  

Citation: Technisch-Chemisches Jahrbuch, Vol. 7, Ed. Rudolf Biedermann


1886: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mfg, Bulk) = ℳ 32.3476 (USD$ ) 

Citation: Die Chemische Industrie, 1892 Vol. 15 (1892) p.70

 





1886: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (USA: Semi-mfg, Whols.) ~ ℳ 31.3523 

Citation: Die Metalle: Geschichte, Vorkommen und Gewinnung, nebst ausführlicher ...Bernhard Neumann p.363


c.1885/6: Platinum capsule for Siemen's Pyrometer, ℳ 210.

Germany, 1906





...und der Preis für Platin von 2700 auf 2900 beziehungsweise  4500(Erhöhun 55% beziehungsweise 66,7%).

...and the cost of platinum of 2,700. - 2,900. or 4,500. (inflation of 55% or 66.7%).

October, 1906


Germany, 1880


"In Deutschland kostete 1 kg Platin im Jahre 1880 noch immer nur 600 Goldmark"

1880: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (Semi-Mfg, Bulk) = 18.6621 (USD$ )

1880: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Semi-Mfg, Bulk) = 20.2173 (USD$ )


Citation: Deutschlands chemische Industrie, 1888-1913; Bernhard Lepsius

1880: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mfg, Bulk) = 27.3711 (USD$ )


Citation: Die Chemische Industrie, 1892 Vol. 15 (1892) p.70

March 21, 2014

UK, 1896: Numismatic Prices for Pt Roubles


c.1896: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (London Mkt) = £ 1.75 - 2.25 (USD$ 8.56 - 11.)

Citation: Western druggist, Vol. 18 (1896) p.413


1896: 1 Ozt. Platinum (UK: Semi-Mfg) = £ 2.25 (USD$ 10.96)



Where a 3-Platinum coin weighed 10.35 Grams, .975 Pure Pt, the following 'Ask' prices likely exceed numismatic market prices. Avg Numismatic Ask: £ 4.75/Ozt;

3/1896: 1 Ozt. Pt Coin (Numismatic: 12-руб, Au-50) = £ 5.78 (USD$ 28.15)
3/1896: 1 Ozt. Pt Coin (Numismatic: 6-руб, Au-50) = £ 3.85 (USD$ 18.77)
3/1896: 1 Ozt. Pt Coin (Numismatic: 3-руб, MS-70) = £ 4.62 (USD$ 22.50)
  
March 1896:
Citation: The Numismatic Circular, Volumes 2-4 Apr. 1896 p.1654


10/1896: 1 Ozt. Pt Coin (Numismatic: 12-руб, Au-50) = £ 5.0 (USD$ 24.36)
10/1896: 1 Ozt. Pt Coin (Numismatic: 6-руб, Au-50) = £ 3.85 (USD$ 18.77)
10/1896: 1 Ozt. Pt Coin (Numismatic: 3-руб, MS-70) = £ 4.62 (USD$ 22.50)
10/1896: 1 Ozt. Pt Coin (Numismatic: 3-руб, MS-60) = £ 3.47 (USD$ 16.90)

October 1896:
Citation: The Numismatic Circular, Volumes 2-4 Nov. 1896 p.1970



Australia:




Assuming 76.90% Pt ore, w/ 5% Shipping and £ 0.0625 Refining Cost @ London:

1896: 1 Ozt. platina (UK: NSW.769) = £ 1.427
1896: 1 Ozt. platina (UK: NSW.769, net S/H) ~ £ 1.355
1896: 1 Ozt. Pt (UK: NSW.999) = £ 1.763
1896: 1 Ozt. Platinum (UK: NSW.999, net S/H, refined) = £ 1.825

1896: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Producer Cost: NSW Ore, Ref.) ~ £ 1.92


 




Australia, 1897


1897: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (UK: Mkt, Refined) = £ 2.75 (USD$ 13.37) 

 
 Where Australia produced 1,966 Ozt  (61.15 Kgs) worth £2,949

1897: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (Australia: Ore, Spot) = £ 1.50

Citation: Annual Report - New South Wales Department of Mines (1896-8) p.69

 

 
1897: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (Australia: Spot, .999) = £ 1.75 - 2. 
1897: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (Australia: ore 70% - 85% ) = £ 1.40 - 1.50
 

 

Australia:

Assuming 76.90% Pt ore, w/ 5% Shipping and £ 0.0625 Refining Cost @ London:

1897: 1 Ozt. platina (UK: NSW.769) = £ 1.
1897: 1 Ozt. platina (UK: NSW.769, net S/H) ~ £ 1.
1897: 1 Ozt. Pt (UK: NSW.999) = £ 1.
1897: 1 Ozt. Platinum (UK: NSW.999, net S/H, refined) = £ 1.

189: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Producer Cost: NSW Ore, Ref.) ~ £ 1.


 








Russia, 1911


June 1911: 1 Troy Ounce platina (83% Ore, Ural Spot)=  руб 67.45 ($34.71)
June 1911: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (Ural Spot, .999)=  руб 81.26 ($41.81)
 

Citation: The Russian Year-book, Vol. 2 (1912) p.188


1911: 1 Troy Oz. platina (SPb: Russian ore) = USD$ 35.19
1911: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (SPb: Russian ore @.999) = USD$ 42.40

Citation: The Mineral Industry, Vol. 20 (1912) p.604




November 1911: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (Ural Spot, .999) ~  руб 89.65 ($46.13)


11/1911: 1 Troy Ounce platina (Ural Spot: 83%) = руб 73.28-74.37 ($37.71-38.27)
11/1911: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (Ural Spot, .999)=  руб 88.29-89.61 ($45.43-46.11)

Citation: Mining and Scientific Press, Volume 103 (11/25/1911) p.686

March 20, 2014

Germany, 1910



1910: 1 Troy Oz Platinum (Mkt) ~ ℳ
1910: 1 Troy Oz Palladium (Mkt) = ℳ 119.75 (USD$ 28.50)
1910: 1 Troy Oz Rhodium (Mkt) = ℳ 497.66 (USD$ 118.44
1910: 1 Troy Oz Iridium (Mkt) = ℳ 152.41 (USD$ 36.27
1910: 1 Troy Oz Osmium (Mkt) = ℳ 118.19 (USD$ 28.13)
1910: 1 Troy Oz Ruthenium (Mkt) = ℳ 245.72 (USD$ 58.48)

Citation: Die Lagerstätten der nutzbaren Mineralien und Gesteine nach Form..., Vol. 2; Franz Beyschlag, Paul Krusch (1913) p.702  


1/1910: 1 Troy Ounce platina (Ru Ore 83%, Mkt) = ℳ 83.98
1/1910: 1 Troy Oz Pt (Ru Ore 83%, Mkt) = ℳ 101.18

12/1910: 1 Troy Oz. platina (Ru Ore 83%, Mkt) = ℳ 129.70
12/1910: 1 Troy Oz Pt (Ru Ore 83%, Mkt) = ℳ 156.27

 
Suspect republication 

March 19, 2014

France, 1893


Davy's Lamp, Fr. 6.

Citation: Catalogue des instruments de précision de E. Ducretet & L. Lejeune, Part 1;  E. Ducretet (1893)
 



Wire

March 15, 2014

Russia, 1850

'Bulk Scrap' was the Poud Rate of ~16.4 Kg; the Kilogram Rate is seen to be ~18.5% higher.

1849: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Coin @ StPb, .970) = Fr 26.593 (USD$ 5.00)

1850: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (SPb: Bulk Scrap ~.970 Fine)= 5.84 руб (Fr. 22.34)
1850: 1 Ozt. Pt (SPb: Bulk Scrap ~.999 Fine)= 5.757 руб (Fr. 23.03)

Assuming the prior Russian Mint Refining Rate (1836) of Fr. 2.734 per Ozt:
1850: 1 Ozt. Platinum (SPb: Base Cost ~.999 Fine) = 6.44 руб (Fr. 25.76; USD$ 5.13)

Assuming the Paris 'Wet Refining' Rate (for profit, 1857) of Fr. 7.88 per Ozt:
1850: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Paris: Producer Base +Profit) = 7.70 руб (Fr. 30.807; USD$ 6.14)


1850: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Bulk Scrap, SPb Mkt Price)= 5.84 руб (USD$ 4.45)

Citation: Journal of the Society of Chemical Industry, Vol.  23; Society of Chemical Industry (Great Britain) 5/31/1904 p.568

 

DSQ

c.March 1850

March, 1850: 1 Ozt. Platinum (SPb Bulk, Mkt)= 6.836 руб (USD$ )


 

March 12, 2014

Platinum Wire, Weight By Inch

1898, Platinum Wire: Diameter .0127 In, 0.6076 g./Foot


1896, Platinum Wire:


June, 1909:




March 11, 2014

UK, 1846



In 1845, refined & manufactured Platinum retailed 4x higher than refined Silver and 1/6 the Price of Fine Gold. The wholesale ratio Pt & Ag appears the same.

1843: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (semi-mfg, whols.) = £ 1.20 - 1.75 (USD$ 5.76 - 8.38)


1845: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (UK Mkt: 75%) = £ 1.125 (USD$ 5.47)
1845: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (UK Mkt: 75%) = £ 1.125 (USD$ 5.47)


1846: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (StPb: Refined, Mint) = £ 1.1051 - 1.1052
 
1846: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (UK Mkt: Intrinsic) = £ 1.50 (USD$ 7.294)
1846: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (UK Mkt: Intrinsic) = £ 1.60 (USD$ 7.78)

1846: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (UK Semi-Mfg, Whols.) = £ 1.75 (USD$ 8.51)
1846: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (UK Mfg, Whols) = £ 2.10 (USD$ 10.21)
 
1846: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (UK Semi-Mfg, Ret.) ~ £ 1.85 (USD$ 9.)
1846: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (UK Mfg, Ret.) ~ £ 2.35 (USD$ 11.42)

1846: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (Sterling) = £ 0.25
1846: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (pure) = £ 0.28
1846: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (mfg, retail) = £ 0.45


Citation: The British quarterly review, Vol. 4 ; Robert Vaughan (1846) p.91





Refined Platinum was sold 6x higher than Silver ore.




Refined Platinum was sold retail about half the 'common price' of Gold:

Citation: A technological dictionary: explaining the terms of the arts, sciences ...W. M. Buchanan (1846) p.572




1845: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (semi-mfg, Retail) = £ 2.00 (USD$ 9.74)
1845: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (semi-mfg, Retail) = £ 0.50 (USD$ 2.44)
1845: 1 Troy Oz. Gold (semi-mfg, Retail) = £ 12.00 (USD$ 58.32)

Citation: A treatise on optical drawing instruments. Also A method of preserving... Charles Varley (1845) pp. 96,101








Artinsal platino-silver vase, c.1844: exorbitant rate or weight.


Newman's 1845 listed no price for Platinum, but the Platinum blowpipe was 2.78x more expensive than the Silver. It would be a mistake to think these different PM items were the same size or weight. Adjusting for mass/weight (2.05x greater for Pt) Silver = 10.49 grams per cubic centimeter and Platinum = 21.5 grams per cubic centimeter.

Less volatile manufactured Silver prices known, the Silver blowpipe weighed <56 grams (to perhaps an ounce and a half, troy) and the Platinum 'Wollaston's Pocket blowpipe' likely weighed <37 grams (to a troy ounce or so.)

1845: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (mfg, whols) = £ 2.10
1845: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (mfg, 9s. 9d. Stowe's Catalogue price) = £ 0.50

Citation: A treatise on optical drawing instruments. Also A method of preserving, (1845) pp. 96,101



Newman's 1852 & 1856 Catalogues had identical prices for "Platinum Plates"; likewise estimated, ~ 2 troy oz. or less.

1856: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (semi-mfg, whols.) ~ £ 1.60

Assuming Grove's Sheet Battery, ea.: Pt 9.41 Grams/ 145.2 Grains Troy = £ 0.55 (USD$ 2.70), nearly the same price as 1853 elsewhere. 

1852: 




















c. 1845/6:

In 1846 Nicholas J. Callan published a paper entitled On a new voltaic battery;  in a Grove's Battery, he replaced a Platinum Foil with a piece of lead (0.15875 cm x 5.08 cm x 7.62 cm = 6.14515 cm³) "the same size." The Platinum Foil at 6.14515 cm³ and a presumed density of 21.37 (21.37 Grams per cm³), the "same size" foil should weigh ~ 131.3218 Grams or 4.22 Ozt. At B.P.G. 18, 2" x 3" Platinum should weigh 4.15 Ozt.

For "nearly £ 3." this amount of Platinum was excessively "cheap" and probably far too thick for typical Battery use. Instead, the foil might be half as thin and weigh 2.11 ozt.

1846: 1Troy Oz. Platinum (Foil, Estimate) ~ £ 1.60


Citation: The Farmer and Mechanic, Vol. 1; Ed. William Holt Starr 10/21/1847 p.507
 

"One square foot" is normally understood to mean 144 square inches (Sq In) : as the double-sided area of a single foil would be 72 sq. in. per side = 8.45" x 8.45", 6" x 12", etc.

Assuming 'Thin Foil', a 12" x 12" Sheet (144 Sq. In.) would weigh 57.60 Grams (1.852 Ozt)

In the correct calculation however, "12 Square Inches" of area (or 6 sq.in. per side) should be a foil 3.464" x 3.464", 2" x 3", etc.


Grove's Battery, 1840s?