Germany, 1860

"Gewicht, Zoll-Gewicht, 1 Pfund {500 g} = 30 Loth, 1 Loth = 10 Quentchen {16.6667 g.}"

1860: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (Paris: Mfg, Intrinsic, Trade)  ~ Thlr. 9.82 (Fr. 37.32)
1860: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Paris: Semi-Mfg, Sheet, Ret.) ~ Thlr. 10.64 (Fr. 40.44)

1860: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (UK: Intrinsic, Mkt) ~ Thlr. 8.86 (£ 1.35) 
1860: 1 Ozt. Platinum (UK: Semi-Mfg: Retail) ~ Thlr. 10.50 (£ 1.60)

1860:  1 Ozt. Platinum (USA: Mkt) ~ Thlr. 10.86 (USD $ 8.00)
1860: 1 Ozt. Platinum (USA: Semi-Mfg, Wire, Ret.) ~ Thlr. 16.28 (USD $ 12.00)
1860: 1 Ozt. Platinum (USA: Mfg,Mfg, Crucible, Ret.) ~ Thlr. 19.54 (USD $ 14.40) 

1860: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Intrinsic, Ret) = Thl 11.20 (USD$ 8.25)
1860: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Semi-Mfg, Ret) = Thl 11.82 - 12.45 (USD$ 8.70 - 9.17)

1860: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Mfg, Ret.) = Thl 25.94 (USD$ 19.10)

1860: 1 Ozt. Silver (Mfg, Ret?) = Thl 2.50 (USD$ 1.83)

Citation: Preis-Verzeichniss d. Glashuettenwerke... so wie chemischer... medicinisch ...; Warmbrunn, Quilitz & Co (1860) pp.












Intrinsic price of Evaporating Basin at Thlr 6./ Zoll-Loth 16.67g

 

1860: Where the Loth of Chlor-Platinate should cost Thlr. 4.50

1860: 1 Ounce Chlor-Platin (Photo. Chemical, Ret.) = Thlr. 9.72 
   
1860: 1 Troy Ozt. Platinum Chloride (Chemist's, Ret.) = Thlr. 3.73/ 4.26 ($ 2.79; $3.14 )


Citation: Photographisches Lexicon: ein Alphabetisches Nachschlage-Buch;  Julius Schnauss (1860) p. xvi






1862:

Where the Loth was 14.40 g., the Quentchen ~1.6g.


1862: 1 Ounce Chlor-Gold (Photo. Chemical, Retail) = Thlr. 25.9196
1862: 1 Ounce Chlor-Platin (Photo. Chemical, Ret.) = Thlr. 9.72 

UK, 1860

1860: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Intrinsic: US Coin) ~ £ 1.556 (USD$ 7.66)
1860: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Wire: Trade) ~ £ 2.47 (USD$ 12.)


1860: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (Mkt: Intrinsic) = £ 1.35 (USD$ 6.55)
1860: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Semi-Mfg: Retail) = £ 1.60 (USD$ 7.76) 
1860/1: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Wire: Retail) = £ 1.50 (USD$ 7.28) 

October 1860: Wholesale, bulk Pt price referencing contemporary US counterfeits.

Citation : Mechanics Magazine; John I Knight, Henry Lacey (1860) p.363



April 1860: Retail Pt price

Citation : The Chemical news, Vol. 1-2 (1860) p.216



1860/1: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (wholesale, wire) = £ 1.50 (USD$ 7.28)

1860- 1863: Military School expenditure

Citation : Accounts and papers of the House of Commons, Vol. 35, 4/2-29/7/1864, p.134



1860?: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (hypothetical retail?) = £ 1.845 (USD$ 8.95) 
   
An English arithmetic from 1861.

Germany: Prices & Dates TBE

Where the Braunschweig Thaler (of 24 Groschen) was £ 0.15 and the Loth 14.5875 Grams (.469 Ozt.) the assumed value of 8 Loth (3.752 Ozt) in Gold is £ 15. or respectively:

c.1844? 1 Troy Ounce Gold (German estimate) = Thaler 26.65 (£ 4.)
c.1844? 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (German estimate) = Thaler 6.66 (£ 1.)
c.1844? 1 Troy Oz. Silver (German estimate) = Thaler 1.904 (£ 0.2856)


For 100 Thalers one can purchase: 8 Loth Gold, 32 Loth platinum, or 112 Loth Silver, or 2,000 Loth Mercury; 8 Loth of Gold THEREFORE has the same commercial value such as 32 Loth of platinum, 112 ounces of Silver, etc.

c. 1844??? First Ed. in 1846
Citation: Die schule der chemie, oder. Erster unterricht in der chemie, versinalicht... Julius Adolph Stöckhardt(1850)



c. 1849:

Citation: Skizzen aus dem steinreiche; Franz von Kobell (1850) p.179 

1860: Ein Pfund rohes Platin kostet ungefähr 180 fl., verarbeitet 250 st. Palladium.

Citation: Geschichte der mineralogie: Von 1650-1860; Franz von Kobell (1866) p.562

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:

Germany, 1859: Berlin Catalogue (Warmbrunn, Quiltz & Co, 1860)

Manufactured, imported Platinum was ~5x the price of manufactured (local) Silver, ~3x the price of imported Silver goods.  Where weights calculated by the 'new' Pfund of 30 Loths (500 Grammes) 1 Loth = 0.5359 Troy Ounce and 1 Reichsthaler = USD$ 0.7962:

1859: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mfg, still) = Thl 10.37  (USD$ 7.43)
1859: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mfg, still) = Fl 18.14  (USD$ 7.55)
 
1860: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Semi-Mfg, Ret) = Thl 11.20 - 12.44 (USD$ 8.06 - 9.)

1859/60: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mfg, Ret.) = Thl 25.92 (USD$ 18.66)

1859/60: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (Mfg, Ret?) = Thl 2.49 (USD$ 2.)

Citation:  Jahresbericht über die Leistungen der chemischen Technologie, Vol. 5  By Johannes Wagner, Fischer, et al (1860) p.147

Citation: Preis-Verzeichniss d. Glashuettenwerke... so wie chemischer... medicinisch ...; Warmbrunn, Quilitz & Co (1860) pp.

Germany, 1904: Neumann's Seminal Price Study for the PGMs

This is the most comprehensive historical 19th C. price table for the PGMs available, but with retail prices. Note the ~90% Palladium price collapse in 1875.

Citation: Die Metalle: Geschichte, Vorkommen und Gewinnung, nebst ausführlicher ... Bernhard Neumann (1904) p.367

Russia, 1866: Low Price in Roubles

1866: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (mkt: sponge, whols.) = Fr 14.2143 - 17.0758 ($2.843-3.415)

1866: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (mkt) = 3.554-4.269 руб Silver ($ 2.66- 3.20)

1867: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Paris) = 5.89 руб ; Fr. 23.55= US Gold $ 4.41; USD$ 6.107

"According to reliable sources, the price per kg. of purified Russian platinum in 1865 was 501 francs and in 1866 from only 457 to 549 francs."

Spink & Son : The Numismatic Circular, Vol. 15, May 1907 p. 9885: 

"Nach zuverlässigen Quellen betrug der Kilopreis des gereinigten russischen Platins im Jahre 1865 501 Francs und 1866 gar nur 457 bis 549 Francs."

Citation: Bulletin de statistique et de législation comparée, Vol. 56 (1904) p.644

 
The 1866 Low is also cited in French Francs here.

1846: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum: 6.64 руб

1850: 1 Ozt. Platinum: 5.83 руб

1851: 1 Ozt. Platinum: 5.84 руб 

1859: 1 Ozt. Platinum: 5.58 руб

1860: 1 Ozt. Platinum: 4.28 руб

1866: 1 Ozt. Platinum: 3.56 руб    



At the Poud Rate of 1,877 руб Kr.

1866: 1 Ozt. Pt (SPb, Bulk Ore @SG 21.5) = 3.5641 руб Kr.
1866: 1 Ozt. Pt (+Assumed Refined Cost руб Kr. 1.1156) = 4.68 руб Kr.

Citation: Journal of the Society of Chemical Industry, Vol. 23  Society of Chemical Industry, GB (1904) p.568

France, 1859/60: Platina & Platinum

Pure Platinum was most cheaply available, following Deville & Debray's publication of best practice in Platinum refining at very low cost.  A 20-Franc coin with 6.31 g pure Platinum would have had an intrinsic value of ~ Fr. 5.679, but the alloy was 97% Pt/ 3% Cu.  Assuming the Coin was originally plated with ~3 Grains Fine Gold (Value = Fr 0.67) a 20-FF Coin weighing 6.324 g. had lost about 2 Grains Troy in mass. A true 20-FF Coin had about Fr. 19.96 in Fine Gold, the counterfeit entailed a loss to the holder of ~Fr 14.28, ~72.5% of its intrinsic value.

Platinum was 4.09x more expensive than Silver.

The 1859 price for manufactured stills from Desmoutis, Morin & Chapuis was approximately Fr 37./oz. Troy. 

Approximate amount of refined Platinum of a 1858/9 Paris-manufactured still, by weight per Litre = 4.8225 Troy Ounces; the amount of Litres per Troy Ounce =0.2074 Litres.


1859/60: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (refined, whols.) = Fr 28. (USD $ 5.47)
1859/60: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (refined, mfg.) = Fr 31.10 - 37.33 (USD $ 6.08-7.30)

1859/60: 1 Troy Oz. platina (Whols., ore @ Choco) = Fr 10.11  (USD $1.98)

Citation:  Lecons de chimie élémentaire appliquée aux arts industriels ..., Vol. 1 J. Girardin (1860) p.869

Citation:  Jahresbericht über die Leistungen der chemischen Technologie, Vol. 5  By Johannes Wagner, Fischer, et al (1860) p.147

Citation:  Dictionnaire universel theorique et pratique du commerce et de la ..., Volume 2 (1860) p.1121

c. 1860: Highest Cost of Refining Platinum,

1859/60: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (Refining Cost) = Fr 7.76 (USD $ 1.52)

Citation: De la métallurgie du Platine et des métaux qui l'accompagnent; Henri Sainte-Claire Deville, H. De Bray (1861)
 

1860: Ingots