USA, 1889: Merck's Catalogue

DSQ 

Prices cited in Engineering and Mining Journal, Vol. 47, presumably avoirdupois.

January, 1889: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (Mkt.) = USD$ 8.78
February, 1889: 1 Ozt Platinum (Mkt.) = USD$ 8.91
March-June, 1889: 1 Ozt Platinum (Mkt.) = USD$ 9.60

January, 1889:



February, 1889:


March, 1889:



1889: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (Fran.: Wholesale Cost, Bulk) ~ USD$ 5.42 (Fr 27.99)

1889: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Fran.: Wholesale Cost, Bulk) ~ USD$ 6.62 (Fr 34.21) 


Jan. 1889: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mkt) ~USD$ 7.347 (ℳ 31.104)
Feb. 1889: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mkt) ~USD$ 7.347 (ℳ 31.104)
Mar. 1889: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mkt) ~USD$ 8.081 (ℳ 34.214)
Apr. 1889: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mkt) ~USD$ 8.081 (ℳ 34.214)
May 1889: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mkt) ~USD$ 8.081 (ℳ 34.214)
Jun. 1889: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mkt) ~USD$ 8.081 (ℳ 34.214)
Jul. 1889: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mkt) ~USD$ 8.081 (ℳ 34.214)
Aug. 1889: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mkt) ~USD$ 7.714 (ℳ 32.66)
Sep. 1889: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mkt) ~USD$ 7.714 (ℳ 32.66)
Oct. 1889: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mkt) ~USD$ 7.347 (ℳ 31.104)
Nov. 1889: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mkt) ~USD$ 7.898 (ℳ 33.436)
Dec. 1889: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mkt) ~USD$ 8.816 (ℳ 37.324)

Avg. German Price, 1889:  1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mkt) = USD$ 7.90 

January, 1889: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (Market) = USD$ 8.00
1889: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mkt: Semi-Mfg.) = USD$ 8.50
December, 1889: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Import: Semi-Mfg.) = USD$ 10.00 November, 1889: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Scrap: Bid) = USD$ 14.00
December, 1889: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mkt.) ~ USD$ 14.


Citation: The Manufacturer and Builder, Vol. 23, Ed. Peter Henri V. Weyde, William H. Wahl (1891)
 
 
Report on mineral industries in the United States at the eleventh census, 1890 ;  David Day


Citation: Congressional Edition, Vol. 2775 p.166



Citation: Mineral resources of the United States, Vol. 7 US Geological Survey p.144



January, 1889: Merck's trade prices (in US apothecary grains, not grammes) are extraordinarily high, but the quality control was superior.

Wire & sheet sold at the same price in 1889.

1889: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Merck's Index; wire/sheet) = USD$ 16.
1889: 1 Troy Oz. Palladium (Merck's Index) = USD$ 64.

1889: 1 Troy Oz. Iridium (Merck's Index) = USD$64.

1889: 1 Troy Oz. Osmium (Merck's Index) = USD$ 96.

1889: 1 Troy Oz. Rhodium (Merck's Index) = USD$ 176.

1889: 1 Troy Oz. Ruthenium (Merck's Index) = USD$ 160.

1889: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (Merck's Index) = USD$4.

1889: 1 Troy Oz. Gold (Merck's Index) = USD$ 56.

c.1889: 1 Troy Oz. Osmium (ore?, whols.) = USD$ 35. - 40.

1890:

The original source was a July 1889 journal.  The US and German Platinum Prices in June 1889 are identical.

January, 1888: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (ingot, 85%, mkt) = USD$ 6.
June, 1889: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (ingot, 85%, mkt) = USD$ 8.

Citation: American journal of dental science, Vol. 23, American Society of Dental Surgeons, Florida Dental Society, Georgia Dental Association, South Carolina Dental Association (1890) p.225



October 1889: September 1889 News, August hike? Error in price rise.

Gideon Sibley Platinum Pins were first advertised c.1879-80. An 80% price hike

1879: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (London, Trade) = $   (£ 1.50)
August, 1889: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (London, Trade) = $   (£ 2.70)


 
 



c.1889: 6-Roubles weighed 20.7066 Grams, .970 Fine Pt, so the Platinum Rouble was only 18% more valuable than the Silver Rouble, but Dickerman's cites the pre-1886 Russian Silver rate.

c.1889: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Coined Rouble, Scrap?) = $ 6.91 

Citation: Dickerman's United States Treasury Counterfeit Detector (1890)



George Tieman & Co.'s Catalogue (1889) records Platinum spoons @ USD$ 4. per; Blowpipe w/ platinum point $3.

February, 1889:
Citation: Congressional serial set: Report of the Secretary of the Navy; United States. p.738

1889/90: US tax on foreign Platinum added significantly to the retail cost.

November, 1889: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Scrap: Bid, Barter) = USD$ 14.00




Rhodio-Platinum Wire:
 

New York: Platinum Wire, 1883-1898

Citation: Journal of the Franklin Institute, Vol. 146 Franklin Institute (Philadelphia, Pa.: 1898) p.210.
 
French dental "platina" actually a Silver Alloy: 83/17 Ag-Pt to 65/35 Ag-Pt
  

These are industrial or market prices, mid 1889?

USA, 1858: Fyfe's Catalogue; Cinncinati Dental Advertisement

1858: 1 Troy Oz. platina (Cartagena: ore, at purity) = USD$ 4.
1858: 1 Troy Oz. platina (Cartagena: ore, at purity) = USD$ 4.75

Fyfe's Catalogue reproduced Kent's 1854/5 prices for PGMs, but the tariff had been reduced in 1857 and the global price of Platinum was falling.

1857: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Paris Mfg, Trade @ Fr 0.90/Gr) ~ $ 5.45
1856: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Imported Paris Mfg, 30% Duty) ~ $ 7.08

1858: 1 Troy Oz. 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

1858: 1 Ozt. Palladium (Refined, Whols.) = USD$ 57.60
1858: 1 Ozt. Iridium (Ref., Whols.) = USD$ 48.
1858: 1 Ozt. Osmium (Ref., Whols.) = USD$ 240.
1858: 1 Ozt. Rhodium (Ref., Whols.) = USD$ 120.

The 7th edition of Edward N. Kent's Descriptive catalogue of chemical apparatus, chemicals and pure reagents (1858):

p.15 "#118. Crucibles, Platina, Figure 118, Best London and Paris make, assorted sizes, sold by weight. Price 3 cents per grain."
p.22 "Galvanic Batteries, Grove's same size as used on telegraph lines. Glass tumblers, very strong & heavy 3 1/2 inches diameter, and 3 1/2 inches deep; heavy platina strips, 3 1/2 inches long and 3/4 inch wide; heavy amalgamated zincs, 2 lbs 7 oz. each

p.33 "Platina Foil #360. 3 1/2 inches long, 3/4 inch wide, Price $1.

Sheets any size. 2 1/2 cents per grain.

Platina Wire, of all sizes.

363. Very fine, for ignition. Price 12 cents per foot.

364. Small, for blowpipe beads. Price 50 cents per foot.

365. Larger sizes, by wight, at 2 cents per grain.

366. Platina Spatulas {...} 3 cents per grain. 
367. Platina Spoons {...} 6 cents per grain. Handles extra, 25 cents. 
368. Platina Sponge {...} 37 cents "
p.43. Zincs Grove's large size 25 cents ; amalgamated , and w/ heavy binding screw and cross-piece attached {each} 75 cents.

p.49 Iridium 10 cents/grain 
p.50 Osmium metallic pure 50 cents per grain Palladium, pure 12 cents per grain
p.52 Rhodium, metallic 25 cents per grain Silver, Metallic, pure 1.75 per oz.
p.51 Platinum Scraps 1.00 dm; Sponge 1.25 dm

The 8th edition of McAllister & Brother's Catalogue: Illustrated Catalogue of Optical, Mathematical, Philosophical Instruments for Sale by McAllister & Brother, Opticians at their new store No. 728 Chestnut Street... (Philadelphia: Wm. S. Young, 1858.)

Platinum was abit more expensive than 1855.

1855: 1 Troy Ounce of Platinum (Mfg, Retail) = $ 14.40

1855: 1 Troy Ounce of Platinum (Semi-Mfg: Dwt. rate) = $ 15.00

p.86 "1068. Groves' Battery, per cup..... 1 25, 1 75, 2 25; in sets of 4 in a box,...8; 8>16.""Platina Slips, each, 37 cts. to 1 00" 
p.95 "1133. [Crucibles] Platina-per grain....03"p.96 "1147. Platina Wire [and Foil]-per pennyweight,...75"

 
Citation: Ritchie's Illustrated Catalogue of Philosophical Instruments and School ...; (1858) Edward S. RITCHIE
 





Gold & silver species traded at a premium during any bank crisis, of which there were quite a few in the 19th Century. Refined Gold or Silver likewise traded at higher premiums at those times. It is not clear how much higher other commodities and/or precious metals (such as platina/Platinum or Palladium) traded then.

It is known that Palladium became scarce in 1858.

1858: 1 Ozt. Silver-Platinum Alloy (Mid-West: French Import, Trade) = $7.50
1858: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Dental Trade: Plate, .999 ) = $ 20.
  

1858: 1 Troy Oz. Gold (Semi-Mfg, Whols.) = $ 24. - 32.

By mid-1858, the New York Platinum Price should have diminished with this technological advance (reported circa 1856 in France) becoming common to refiners.

As reported in December, 1857 at Dental Meeting (published, April 1858):

Before 1860, best-grade Iridosmine cost up to $250 an ounce.

Citation: The American Journal of Science and Arts (1861) p.64

 
As reported in March 1859 (from April 1858 sources, likely 1857/8 data), platinum black and other PGMs had risen 5-fold 'in a few years.' Sold avoirdupois?

185?: 1 Troy Oz Platinum Black (residue) = $1.37
1858: 1 Troy Oz Platinum Black (residue) = $6.86

Citation: Transactions of the American Institute of the City of New-York, Vol. 17 p.462

From 1857, the US Custom tax on imported foreign stills was 24%.



California platina, 57% Pt

USA, 1905: Catalogue (Denver Fire & Clay)

Cited as 'recent' but not absolute Platinum High.

1905: 1 Troy Ounce platina (NYC: Ore, 80%) = USD$ 14.40 - 15.20
1905: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (Ore @ .999) = USD$ 18. - 19.

1905: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (semi-refined, whols.) = USD$ 20.
1905: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (refined, retail) = USD$ 20.25 - 20.50
1905: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (manufactured, retail) = USD$ 24.50

Citation: Mineral resources of the United States (1905) p.360


September, 1905: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mkt) = $ 20.50
September, 1905: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Semi-mfg, Whols.) = $23.

1905: 1 Troy Oz. Ruthenium = $ 155.50

1905: 1 Troy Oz. Palladium = $ 46.65

1905: 1 Troy Oz. Iridium = $ 77.75

1905: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (market) = $ 0.6221
1905: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (refined, semi-mfg) = $ 1.00

1905: 1 Troy Oz. Gold (Mkt) = $ 20.67
1905: 1 Troy Oz. Gold (Chemically Refined) = $54.43

July, 1905:


Late August 1905 news:


Citation: Illustrated and priced catalogue of assayers' and chemists' supplies By Denver Fire Clay Company (1905)

General Summary, 1905-7:

1905: 1 Troy Ounce Palladium = USD$ 30. - 35.

1908: 1 Troy Ounce Palladium = USD$ 40.

1902-04: 1 Troy Ounce Palladium (ore) = CDN$ 21.40

1902 - 04:

Citation: Annual report on the mineral production of Canada; Dominion Bureau of Statistics, Geological Survey of Canada p.149

1905:

Citation: Platers' guide: with which is combined brass world, Vol. 1 (1905)p.414

1908:

Citation: Business aid, Vol. 2 (1909) p.189

1901-14: Spot Prices for Russian platina, in Russia

1905: 1 Troy Ounce platina (Russian ore, Spot) = USD$ 17.03

Citation: Bulletin of the Pan American Union, Vol. 45 (1917) p.618

UK,1900s - 1910s: Rhodium

This Italian text apparently quotes British catalogue prices for the PGMs.

1905: 1 Troy Ounce of Rhodium = £ 21.77 (USD$ 106.)

1910: 1 Troy Ounce of Rhodium = £ 18.46 (USD$ 90.69)

1908: 1 Troy Ounce of Iridium = £ 10.97 (USD$ 53.44)

1910: 1 Troy Ounce of Iridium = £ 21.95 (USD$ 106.67)

c.1899: 1 Troy Ounce of Osmium= £ (USD$ )

1877: 1 Troy Ounce of Palladium = £ (USD$ )
1877: 1 Troy Ounce of Platinum = £ (USD$ )

Citation: Treatise on general and industrial inorganic chemistry, By Ettore Molinari (1920) p.850