Showing posts with label Gold Leaf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gold Leaf. Show all posts

April 24, 2011

USA, 1817

In 1817, but not in 1818, Dr. Wollaston was able to acquire bulk platina (>100 lbs) from Vaughan in Philadelphia; his own Bid (London Scrap Rate) appears unchanged.


1817: 1 Troy Ounce platina (USA: PA, Bulk) = USD$ 0.41143 (£ 0.0911) 
1817: 1  Ozt. Pt (USA: PA, Bulk) = USD$ 0.5486 (£ 0.1215) 
1817: 1  Ozt. Pt (USA: PA, Labor) = USD$ 0.48 (£ 0.1063)
1817: 1 Ozt. Platinum (USA: 1st Cost, Phila., Bulk) = USD$ 1.03 (£ 0.2278) 
   
As an entrepreneur, Bollman retailed manufactured Platinum for $60/lb. avd, a 300% markup (4x) on the First Base Cost; hypothetically, the manufacture of stamped Pt planchets without 'retail profit' might only be ~200% markup.  

1817: 1 Ozt. Platinum (USA: Semi-Mfg, Wholesale) = USD$ 3.09 (£ 0.6835) 

Dr. Robert Hare purchased imported Platinum wire c.1817.  It is unclear if this was by catalogue or a Philadelphia vendor:





c.1818:
Mock Gold: Thomas Cooper, of University of Pennsylvania

Citation: A system of chemistry: in four volumes, Vol. 2 (1818) Thomas Thomson, Thomas Cooper
 


Indicating standard forex of $ 4.4444/ £ 1., one 'Book of Leaf Gold' cost the trade $ 0.45, after the 15% tariff.


1817: 1 Packet/20 Books Gold Leaf (Trade) = $ 9.
1817: 1 Packet/20 Books Gold Leaf (European Import) = $ 7.65

Assuming 6 English Troy Grains per Sheet/Book:

1817: 1 Ozt Gold Leaf (Trade) = $ 36.
1817: 1 Ozt Gold Leaf (European Import) = $ 30.60
 


1 Gold-Leaf = 0.192 Grains of 10.89 Sq. In; 1 Book of Leaf-Gold = 4.8 Grains (4.725 Fine Au)

1 Gold-Leaf would cover just over 3 8-Escudos; assuming 1/3rd wastage however, it would take 140-145 Leaves per coin to add 6.84 Grains in mass to a 8-Escudo Pt Counterfeit, ~ 6 Books per Pt Counterfeit: (NYC) Trade Cost = $ 2.70, without factoring any other materials or labor.

1817: 1 Ozt. Platinum (USA: Semi-Mfg, Wholesale) = USD$ 3.09 (£ 0.6835) 
1817: 1 Ozt. Gilded Platinum (USA: Est. Material Cost) = USD$ 5.79 (£ 1.28) 
    




1817 Exchange: the 8-Escudo's value given at $15.506