December 27, 2014

Colombia, 1861





 




c.1861: Estimated 'Reasonable Gold Yield' for Atrato was $2,000,000, with $20,000 in platina.  

If Negroes had a little more interest, the gold gathered in situ at the basin of the Atrato would not be lower than two million pesos {$ 2,000,000}per year, with about $ 20,000 in platina, which usually is mixed with placer gold; more of what I've already said on this particular.

Citation: Jeografia fisica i politica de los Estados Unidos de Colombia...; Felipe Pérez


c.1861: Atrato gold nuggets never less than 22k; gold washer wage, $2./day; local wage S$ 0.30

 



December 15, 2014

Netherlands: Weight






c.1810: 

c. 1810: 1 Gramme = 20.807 Holland Assen; 1 Ozt. = 647.1626 Holl. Assen.

Citation: Kelly's The Universal Cambist, Vol.1 (1811)  
 


c. 1810: 1 Gramme = 20.72538 Holland Assen; 1 Ozt. = 647.1626 Holl. Assen.
 




On the English Troy Weight (which did not change):

c. 1830: 1 Gramme = 20.804 Holland Assen; 1 English Ounce Troy = 647.0774 Holl. Assen.
c. 1830: 1 Gramme = 20.8059 Holl. Assen; 1 Ozt. = 647.0774 Holl. Assen.

 


Austria: Money

December 3, 2014

Austria, 1822

In Vienna 1822, Platinum retailed for Fl. 860./kg (~Fr. 2,239/kg.) Platinumware was ~10x (9.82 -10.23x) the Price of Silverware, retail. Likewise, retail Platinum was 53% (about half) the Retail Price of Goldwares, where Gold jewelry retailed for ~2.3 - 2.5x the Price of Platinum chains.
 
Assuming the Wien Loth in Silver at 17.575 g. and where Florin C.M. (11.6861 g. Fine Ag) so Fl. C.M. 1. = Fr. 2.6034 (2 Mo. Bill: Fr. 2.5157); $0.4858

1822: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Vienna: Mfg, Retail) = Fl C.M. 26.745 (Fr. 69.63)

Late 1822: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (.812 Fine) = Fl C.M. 2.2122
Late 1822: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (.937 Fine) = Fl C.M. 2.3597
Late 1822: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (.999 Fine) = Fl C.M. 2.7244
Late 1822: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (Bid: .999 Fine) = Fl C.M. 2.6154

Late 1822: 1 Troy Oz. Silverware (.812, Intrinsic) = Fl C.M. 2.6546
    
Late 1822: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (Vienna: Intrinsic, Coin) = Fl C.M. 2.6616

In Vienna, platinum is made in objects which, if readily available, are cheaper than gold. Thus, for example,  watch-chains, pocket-chains, etc. cost per Ducatengewicht {3.489 g} Fl C.M. 3. The Loth of Silverware 13löthigem in silver content is worth Fl. C.M. 1.25 but scrap paid at Fl. 1.20, because you are billed for the loss in remelting; 15löthiges silver is paid about Fl. .0667 - .0833 C.M. dearer. The best value manufacture is the larger silver spoon, by which cost, together with hallmark and work, Fl. 1.50 per Loth ; the coffee spoon comes abit higher - namely at  Fl. 1.60 per Loth; larger items, such as Lavoirs, pots, plates, etc. cost Fl. 1.75 to  Fl. 1.80; items with openwork, with visible hinges etc., Fl 2. per Loth.

Citation: Darstellung des fabriks- und gewerbswesens in seinem gegenwärtigen zustande... Ed. Stephan von Keess (1823) p.453


 

Taking the Ducaten at 3.489 g. and Austrian Gold Alloys at


No.1 = 0.3264 Fine Au
No.2 = 0.5451 Fine Au
No.3 = 0.7674 Fine Au

1822: 1 Troy Oz. Gold (Vienna: Coin) = Fl C.M. 40.105
1822: 1 Troy Oz. Gold (Vienna: Coin Intrinsic) = Fl C.M. 40.63

Late 1822: 1 Troy Oz. Goldware (.3264 Fine) = Fl C.M. 13.37
Late 1822: 1 Troy Oz. Goldware (.5451 Fine) = Fl C.M. 22.28
Late 1822: 1 Troy Oz. Goldware (.7674 Fine) = Fl C.M. 31.30
Late 1822: 1 Troy Oz. Goldware (at .999 Fine) = Fl C.M. 40.66 - 40.97

1822: 1 Troy Oz. Goldware (Vienna: Retail) ~ Fl C.M. 51. - 68.

The prices are extremely different according to fineness, weight and work. In general, they are much lower in recent times, very beautiful wares but now come to stand noticeably high. Without fashioning, which in some wares is .25, .50, .66 more than the raw material, the Ducat-Weight No. 1 comes on Fl. 1.50, No. 2  to Fl. 2.50, No. 3 on Fl. 3.50; in Ducatengold, {Ducat-Weight} stands at Fl. 4.50. C.M.



Standard Austrian Gold alloys, c. 1830:


December 1, 2014

UK, 1802


Wollaston's purchase of platina ore, from Paris?

Citation: "William Wollaston, John Johnson and Colombian alluvial platina: A study inrestricted industrial enterprise" Melvyn C. Usselman in Annals of Science, 37:3, (1980) pp. 253-268

"558 ounces purchased 12 July 1802 was identified as 'Lot T, French' and may refer to platina imported from France."