Germany, 1836

 

1835: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Germany: Semi-Mfg) ~Thlr. 11. (USD$ 7.74)
 
Citation: Universal-Lexikon der Handelswissenschaften: enthaltend: die Münz-, Maß- und ... August Schiebe (1838) p. 612


Alloy pins for Artificial Teeth: 40% Pt/ 60% Ag
Alloy springs for Artificial Teeth: 31.25% Pd, 31.25% Ag, 31.25% Cu, 6.25% Fe

Citation: Magazin der neuesten Erfindungen, Entdeckungen und Verbesserungen; Vol. 4 (1837) p.92

 
Where 1 Loth = 14.615 g.,

1836/7: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Germany: Ore?, Retail) = Thlr. 10.64 (USD$ 7.82)
1836/7: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Germany: Intrinsic, Retail) = Thlr. 11.70 (USD$ 8.60)   
1836/7: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Germany: Mfg, Ret.) ~ Thlr. 13.83 (USD$ 10.17)
1836/7: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Hypothetical Import COST, Ger. Mfg, Ret.) ~ USD$ 9.50
 
{Unmanufactured?} platinum now costs Thlr. 5 to 5.5 per Loth; in the apparatus-form, in proportion to the work.  All Platinum apparatus can now be purchased not only in Paris but from many other places, especially in Berlin from G. Stoffauer or Luhme; in Frankfurt from Joh. Val. Albert; in Leipzig from Lampe or Sellier; in Göttingen from Apel; but the last apparatus are of bad platinum and are not highly praised.

Citation: Das Hauslexikon: vollständiges handbuch praktischer, Vol. 6 (1837) p.496



Stuttgart c. 1836: Retail Platinum cost half the price of Gold, in jewelry, etc.  


Platinum or White Gold in the middle. Platinum ranges between silver-white or steel gray, it is still difficult and worth half as much {as Gold.}

Citation: Schul-Kalender: ein Normal-Handbuch für Volksschullehrer, Vol. 1 (1837)


Platinum in German dentistry, 1836:



German estimation of Russian mineral production, c. 1836:

Where Gold was estimated Thlr. 230 per Mark; Platinum Thlr. 79.95 per Mark; Silver Thlr. 14.664

Citation: Universal-Lexikon der Handelswissenschaften: Enthaltend: die Münz- ... ;  August Schiebe (1837)
 
Specific Gravity of Platinum  types, Silver Coin:


 

USA, 1880s: Dental Platinum Alloys

DSQ
c.1880s:

In France, "Platinum alloy" with less than 35% Pt was called 'platine au titre' - different dental Platinum alloys by standard weight ranged from 45-66% Pt.

1)  Pt 66.67% / Au 22.22% / Ag 11.11%
2)  Pt 58.33% / Au 16.67% / Ag 25%
3)  Pt 41.67% / Au 25% / Pd 33.33%

Citation: The Metallic alloys: a practical guide for the manufacture of all kinds... William Theodore Brannt (1889)

 

1880: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (Mkt: Semi-Mfg)  = USD$ 7.97

1881:  1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mkt: Semi-Mfg)  = USD$ 8.69

1882: 1  Troy Ounce platina (semi-refined) =  USD$ 6.

1883: 1 Troy Ounce of Platinum = $ 10.29

1883: 1 Troy Oz Platinum (refined, mfg, whols./import) = USD$ 6.50 - 7.50
 
c.1884: 1 Troy Oz. of Platinum (disputed low, US ore?) = $  3.- 5. 

c.1884: 1 Troy Oz. of Platinum (semi-refined, retail) = $  8. 
 
c.1884: 1 Troy Oz Platinum (refined, mfg, retail) = USD$ 10.89 - 14.
1884: 1 Troy Oz "Platinum" (generic range: all types) = USD$ 8. - 12.
1884: 1 Troy Oz Platinum (refined, mfg, whols./import) = USD$ 7.50 - 8.50

1886: 1  Troy Ounce Platinum (unmanufactured) =  USD$ 6.

1887: 1  Troy Ounce Platinum (unmanufactured) =  USD$ 7.50

1888: 1  Troy Ounce Platinum (unmanufactured) =  USD$ 6.80
 
1889: 1 Troy Ounce of Platinum = $  8.
October, 1889: 1 Troy Ounce platina = USD$ 17.50

March, 1890: 1 Troy Ounce of Platinum = $ 14.

October, 1890: 1 Troy Ounce of Platinum = $ 20.

 1911; 1918:

1)  White Gold:  ..........................Pt 40% / Au 60%
2)  Cooper's Gold (1) : ......................Pt 18.75% / Cu 81.25%
3)  Cooper's Gold (2) : ......................Pt 29.17% / Cu 66.6% / Zn 4.15%
4)  Cooper's Pen Metal (1) : .............Pt 50% / Ag 37.5% / Cu 12.5%
5)  Cooper's Pen Metal (2) : .............Pt 50% / Ag 37.5% / Cu 12.5%
6)  Cooper's ("Platina") (1) : ............Pt 25% / Ag 70% / Ni 5%
7)  Cooper's ("Platina") (2) : ............Pt 0% / Ag 70% / Co 5% / Pd 25%




Platinum Alloys, generally (cited prior to 1890): "Cooper's Pen Metal"

c.1889:


1888:



c. 1830?
   

c. 1820:


c.1890: Dental Alloy

Platinized Silver Plate was recommended 80% Ag, 20% Pt; Platinized Silver Wire
66.7% Ag, 33.3% Pt

'Platina' just alloy (of Tin) 1880s - 1912:

USA, 1844: Dana's Minerology

From the Catalogue of Mathematical and Philosophical Instruments, Manufactured and Sold by James Green, No. 43 South Street Baltimore (1844), p.10: "Scrap Zinc and other Metals, Platina Wire, Sponge,..." unquoted.  
An unplated Platinum counterfeit Half-Eagle ($5) in the American Numismatic Society Collection weighs 8.27 g ; at full weight 8.359 g. and circulated 8.346 g.

The June 1844 US duties collected on Platinum manufactures from the UK was USD$ 925.

1840: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (refined, UK retail) ~ USD$ 7.50

c. 1840-5: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (semi-refined ingot) = USD$ 7.50 - 8.33

 

c. 1845 Dental Alloy
  


c.1845: full set of teeth, in Gold ~ USD$ 200.
 

Germany, 1826

April 1826: 1 Troy Ounce platina (ore @ Choco) = Thlr. 0.9014   

1826:  1 Troy Ounce Platinum (refined) = Thlr 14.88 - 13.82 (USD$ 11.33 - 10.50)

1826: a < 2 gram weight set in Platinum, 1 Thaler ~ Thlr 15./oz (USD$ 11.50)

1826: Platinum Spoon w/ handle, 2 Thaler/ Fl. 2.88

Where the 1 Unze - 0.10 Gran Set cost 2.5 Thaler and the (Platinum) 1 Gran - 0.10 Gran Set cost 1 Thaler, therefore the 1 Unze - 1 Gran Set cost 1.5 Thaler in 1826.  In 1820, where Fl. 1.25 = Thlr 0.625 

The Gran weighed 62.1652 Mgs, 5 Weights at 2.1 Gran (0.130464 Grams)

1826: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (Mfg, Retail) ~ Thlr 238.40 
 
June 1826:
10. Verkaufsanzeigen 
1) Der Preis der Platingewichte von 1 Gran und den Unterabtheilungen desselben, welche ich, nach Anrathen des Herrn Hofrath Brandes, zum Gebrauch für die Receptur verfertige, ist 1 Thaler- Uebrigens verfertige ich jetzt die ganzen Medicinalgewichte genau, und zwar justify ich sie nach dem französischen Gramme-Gewicht, nach dem vom Hofrath Meier angegebenen Verhältniß. Ein Gewicht von 1 Pfunde bis 0.10 Gran, die kleinen Gewichtstheile von Platin, das Ganze in einem Kasten, tostet 1 Louis-d'or; dieselben Gewichte von , 1 Unze bis 0.10 Gran, auch in einen Kasten, die kleinen Gewichte von Platin, kosten 2.5 Thaler. Göttingen, Apel, Universitäts-Mechanikus

10. Classified ads 
1) The price of Platinum weights of 1 Gran and the subdivisions thereof, made under advisment of Lord Councillor Brandes for use by the Receptor,  is 1 Thaler. - By the way, I now make the whole Medicinal weights exactly, although I rectify it by the French Gramme-weight according to correspondence given by Councillor Meier.  A weight of 1 Pfund to 0.10 Gran, the small weight parts of platinum, the whole thing in a box costs , 1 Louis d'Or ; same weights of 1 Unze by 0.10 Gran, even in a box , the lighter weights in Platinum, cost 2.5 Thaler. 
{Signed} Apel, University mechanic of Göttingen (Hannover)

Citation: Archiv des Apotheker-Vereins im Nördlichen Teutschland für die ..., Volume 17; Apotheker-Verein im Nördlichen Deutschland (1826)

July, 1826:

Citation: Allgemeine Handlungs-Zeitung: mit den neuesten Erfindungen..., Vol. 33 p.286

Random used Platinumware, resale; unknown weight

In Bavaria, the intended Colombian Platinum coinage rate of S$6./Unza was made known by Late November, 1826. 

1826: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (Colombian Declaration) ~Rthlr 8.6317

Where 1 Preuss. Thaler = Fl 1.7208 - 1.7333 and 1 Loth = 0.4701568 Ozt.,

1826: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (Paris Mkt, Retail) = Pr. Thlr 14.89-13.83 
....(Fl. 25.62-23.85),






Dr. Hermstadt's "Artificial Gold" and Cooper's "Mock Gold" c.1825?

Where the Specific Gravity (in 1825) of Platinum was assumed 21.5, copper 8.9, Zinc 7.,     the ratio of Hermstadt's "Artificial Gold" should be 17.22, or nearly the same SG as a Gold Sovereign.  A slightly more precise ratio would be 831 Pt, 151 Cu, 18 Zn, where SG = 17.185

USA, 1847: Chamberlain's Catalogue (Partial)

Compare 1846 Paris Catalogue Prices.  In Germany, manufactured Platinum prices were 50% lower.  Based on foreign wares, Chamerberlain's Catalogue suggests the US wholesale/retail Platinum price from the same goods.  Platinum spoons in a Paris retailer's catalogue were the equivalent of $0.96 - 1.93; spirit lamps w/ platinum coils ~ equiv. $2. - 2.40.

1845:1 Troy Oz. of Platinum (Trade, catalogue) ~ USD$ 11.50 - 17.

From 1846, the US Custom tax on imported foreign stills was 30%.



In the late 1840s, the Gold/Platinum and Gold/Silver ratio was 1:2.48-2.76; 1:16
The Platinum/Silver ratio was 1:5.80-6.40

c.1847:1 Ozt. Gold (Mkt) ~ USD$ 20.69
c.1847:1 Ozt. Silver (Mkt) ~ USD$ 1.293
c.1845?:1 Ozt. Platinum (Mkt) ~ USD$ 8.33
c.1847:1 Ozt. Platinum (Mkt) ~ USD$ 7.50
 
Citation: Manual of mineralogy: including observations on mines, rocks... James Dwight Dana (1851) p.387


Demonstration with a powerful Grove Battery, either 200 Square Inches (or 800 Sq. In.)
 


The 1847 Supplement to the 1845 Bossange Catalogue offered identical prices for Platinum manufactures.  Where manufactured in different metals, Platinum items sold at 66% > 75% the price of Gold items (Fr 116.63/ oz. troy.)  


1845:1 Troy Oz. of Platinum (ret.?) ~ Fr 58.31 - 87.47 (USD$ 11.23 - 16.85)

Citation: Catalogue générale de Hector Bossange (1845)

Where the Bunsen Battery cost Fr 5, the Grove Battery cost Fr 7 - Fr 2 for the Platinum strip.

1845: the Menier Catalogue sold refined Gold products at Fr 116.63 a troy ounce.




"Platina" was identified in gilded and clad counterfeits, but both high cost and labor were generally considered prohibitive.  Reported Platinum counterfeits were exquisite copies; perhaps older dies had been stolen?



A true weight Half-Eagles weighed 8.359 grams (129.0 grains; .2687 troy ounces); Platinum alloy Half-Eagles (N.O.) were dated 1843, 1844, 1847, 1848.

Feb. 1848:

 

 




Platinum is not specified in contemporary accounts; perhaps the "white metal" was assumed to be Silver?  It was possibly "Platina" (dental alloy: Ag/Pt), ~1 g. or 11.52% Platinum

It seems likely the counterfeit composition was scrap English Sovereigns (for the Gold guilding) around a French "Platina" core.  The Specific Gravity of this combined coin alloy should be ~16.95, not indicated.

59.94% Fine Au
  5.57% Cu
34.50% "Platina" (Ag/Pt : 66.6% Ag, 33.4% Pt)

The actual amount of Platinum in the coin was 0.963 g.; of Silver, 1.92 g.  Assuming Platinum in bars was purchased for $7.50/Ozt, and without factoring the transport cost, or 'true cost' in whatever US domestic market purchased, the intrinsic Platinum was worth $ 0.232 (Minimum Coin Scrap: $3.64); Ingot Pt @ $8.33, the intrinsic Platinum was worth $ 0.258 (Minimum Coin Scrap: $3.67)

 Alternately, factoring a Silver solder (.475 Ag, .275 Cu, .250 Zn) the counterfeit's composition might be .595 Au, .090 Cu, .205 Ag, .075 Pt, .035 Zn or SG 14.51. Gold content held constant, a lower SG suggests smaller amount of Silver (19%) and Platinum (6%) and a greater proportion of Copper and  Zinc: 10% Cu and 5.5% Zn.

The margin for tools, labor, conspiracy costs and possibly fenced dies (!) appears poor, unless the local currency forex was otherwise exceedingly advantageous for "coin." 





The Gold-Value in the Counterfeit was $1.25; at .915 Fine

 

1847 Opinion, source on EckFeldt's 1843 work (prior to Platinum Rouble's demonetization):

Citation: American Journal of Agriculture and Science, Vol. 6, No. 16; Ebenezer Emmons (8/1847) 



c. November 1847:



c.1846: London Alloys recommended by Percival Norton Johnson:
 
Specific Gravity: