Russia, 1857

1857: 1 Troy Oz platina (Cartagena: Choco ore) ~ Fr 21.77  (USD $ 4.25)

1859: 1 Troy Oz. platina (Cartagena: ore) = C$ 5.19 (S$ 4.15 ; USD$ 3.99)


 1857: 1 Troy Oz platina (SPb: 78.4% Ore) ~ 5.25 руб Kr. (Fr 20.57; USD $ 4.84)  
1857: 1 Troy Oz Platinum (SPb: Bulk, Scrap .95 Pt) = 6.687 руб Kr. 
.... (Fr 26.204; USD $ 6.17)  
1857: 1 Troy Oz Platinum (SPb: Scrap .900 Pt) = 7.04 руб Kr. 
.... (Fr 27.58; USD $ 6.49) 


Citation:  Platinmetalle von Heinrich Quiring (1962) p. 72
After technological attempts to exploit the recalled Platinum coinage from the State coffers had been abandoned - for a Russian industry for Platinum manufactures did not exist - in 1857 654.4 kilograms (of Platinum, as Scrap) were sold for 215 Roubles per kg to the Paris refinery of Desmoutis.  In 1862, Johnson, Matthey & Co. of London took a further 11,800 kg at the price of 199 Roubles per kg. With this large supply, the English company was able to secure a world monopoly of trade for many years.  Prices for Russian crude platina, the refined metal and other PGMs hereafter rose or  fell according to the English market.


In excess of the Ru Pt Yield (~25%?), Johnson & Matthey's import was probably a combination of Russian ore 75% @£ 0.728 and Russian Mint Scrap @£ 0.9707.  

UK, 1857: Platinum Import from Russia was 5,315 Ozt (165.3 Kgs)

1857 Platina Yield: 7.66 Poud = 306.46 Funt = 4,034.85 Ozt. = 125.5 Kgs
1857 Gold Yield: 1,623.67 Poud = 64,946.78 Funt = 855,097 Ozt. = 26,596.5 Kgs



7.1717 Poud Thlr 25,282

1857: 1 Troy Oz Platinum (SPb: Bulk, Scrap .95 Pt) = 6.2208 руб Kr.
 
Citation: Der Berggeist: Zeitung für Berg-, Hüttenwesen u. Industrie (1860) p.549



1857 Platina Yield: 7.72 Poud = 308.75 Funt = 4,065 Ozt. = 126.44 Kgs
1857 Gold Yield: 1,733.586 Poud = 69,3435 Funt = 912,984 Ozt. = 28,397 Kgs

Citation: The Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, Vol 10, 1918

Borneo, 1857

In the 19th C., Borneo's Platinum Yield was never 250 kgs. It was assumed to be 70-82% Pt.


 


Citation: Journal, Vol. 6 (1858)

Germany, 1857

Stated at 68.4152 Loth per Kilogram, 1 Loth = 14.6166 Grams (0.47 Troy Ounce); where
31.1035 Grams/CC H
2O. is a crucible (w/o lid) of 1 Ozt or 2.128 Loth weight and Fl 12.236 for the Crucible including manufacture.

Where 1 Ozt = 2.128 Loth köln.

Where 1 Unze = 29.231 Grams (0.9398 Troy Ounces) of Water by volume, estimated correspondence for 1 English Troy Ounce (31.1035 Grams) of manufactured Platinum-ware is adjusted accordingly, because the actual weight of the item is unknown.

As reported current, Gressler's Prices (= Eduard Greßler of Erfurt, Thüringen) are identical to the 1851 Catalogue for 1-Unzen capsules; prices are therefore presumed the same.

In Germany, the retail price of manufactured Platinum was ~40% cheaper than in the USA (1857.)

1856: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (German Refined)= Fl 14.515; Thlr. 8.29 (USD$ 5.73)

1857: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Trade: Refined)= Fl 11.612 ; Thlr. 6.635 (USD$ 4.59)
1857: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Trade: Mfg)= Fl 12.2357; Thlr. 7. (USD$ 4.83) 
1857: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (Mfg: Crucible)= Fl 0.6239 ; Thlr. 0.03604 (USD$ 0.25) 

1857: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Berlin: Refined, Retail)= Thlr. 12.7677 (USD$ 8.68)
  
1857: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Erfurt: Mfg, Trade)~ Rthlr. 8.5125 (USD$ )

1857: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Erfurt: semi-mfg, retail) = Thlr 11.70 ; Fl. 17.56
1857: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Erfurt: mfg, retail) = Thlr 12.77 ; Fl. 19.15
1857: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Erfurt: mfg, retail) = Thlr 15.96 ; Fl. 23.94
 
1860: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Intrinsic, Ret) = Thl 11.20 (USD$ 8.25)
  

Where the Loth (~68.5152 per kg.) is clearly stated at 14.61664 g.:

c.1857:  Fl.1 @ℳ 1.3919: 1 Kg.  Platinum (Unmfg) = ℳ 649.55

Platinum instrument from W. G. Heraeus in Hanau. - The owner of a refinery for platinum, palladium, gold and silver delivers crafted platinum far cheaper than was previously common in Germany, namely the Kilogram 466.66 Gulden (= 266.66 Thaler.) or Loth 6.821 Gulden (= 3.898 Thaler.); also, when ordering an entire Kilogrm. a 3% rebate is granted (for three kilos., 5%.) 

Crucibles for example, which 
contain 8 Grammes water (8 cc), weighing 0.625 Loth, Fl. 5.70 (Thlr. 3.258); 
contains 15 Gr. of water. (15 cc) weighing 1 Loth, cost Fl. 8.2667, (Thlr. 4.725)
contains water 30 Gr.* water (30 cc), weighing 2 Loth, cost Fl. 11.50 (Thlr. 6.575) 

*) Luhme &Co. Berlin calculated platinum crucibles and dishes excl. fashioning at 6 Thaler per Loth. In Gressler in Berlin platinum dishes cost 8 Thlr./Unze Volume (per 29.231 Grams/cc.)

Citation: Zeitschrift für die Gesammten Naturwissenschaften, Vol. 10 Naturwissenschaftlicher Verein für Sachen und Thüringen in Halle (1857) p.504-5

Where the Zollpfund was 500 grams. the new Loth (1/32) was 15.63 grams:

c.1856: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mkt, Mfg) = Fl 17.79 (USD$ 7.73)

Citation: Die Natur: Ein Lesebuch für Schule und Haus. Nach dem Schwedischen des ...N. J. Berlin (1857) p.448

Mistakenly, Platinum (during the Russian coinage period) was considered four times higher than in the 1820s. On the contrary, the Price of Platinum was nearly the same in 1820 but higher in 1828. This may be a German example of vestigial misunderstanding/conflation of the the 1825 Price Spike event and the late 19th Century Gold Price equivalent.

The notably low Loth price more plausibly refers to London manufacture, circa 1813/4.

1820: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Paris semi-mfg, German retail) = Thlr 6.38 (Fr 24.; USD$ 5.57)

1828: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (semi-mfg, whols.) = Thlr 9.57 (USD$ 6.84)

Citation: Chemie für Laien: Eine populäre Belehrung über die ..., Vol. 8, Part 2 (1862)

Colombia, 1850 - 1875

Weights:

c.1854:  1 kg US Flour @ Chocó =  S$ 0.22





Citation: New Granada: Twenty Months in the Andes: With Maps and Illustrations;  Isaac F. Holton (1856) p.260

France, 1857: Platinum Alloys Developed

The estimated 1857 cost of 1 Kilogram of Paris Platinum was Fr 940.

1857: 1 Troy Ounce platina (SPb: 78.4% Ore) ~ Fr 20.57 (USD $ 4.84)
1857: 1 Troy Oz Platinum (SPb: Bulk, Scrap .98 Pt) = Fr 26.204 (USD $ 6.17)
1857: 1 Troy Oz Pt (Estimated Paris refining cost) ~ Fr 2.50  (USD $ 0.59)
1857: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Paris: Producer's Cost) ~ Fr 29.24  (USD $ 6.88)

The market price fell 20% in 1857-8, seen here and reported in German industrial journals.  This seminal paper reported increasing efficiencies in the production of refined Platinum and outlined the range of prices, ore to manufactures. 

Deville and Debray likely rounded a Cartagena price of Fr 667.7 per kg; see Colombia 1858.

1857: 1 Troy Oz. platina (Cartagena: Choco ore) ~ Fr 21.77  (USD $ 4.25)
1857: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Bid, Scrap) = Fr 23.33 (USD$ 4.54)
1857: 1 Troy Oz Pt ('Wet' Refining) = Fr 7.78  (USD $ 1.52) 
1857: 1 Troy Oz Platinum (Refined, Mkt) = Fr 31.10  (USD $ 6.07)
1857: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Paris Mfg, still?) = Fr 37.33 (USD$ 7.26)

1858: 1 Troy Oz platina (Cartagena: Choco ore) = Fr 20.77 (USD $ 4.15)

Thus the French customs only has records of a patent absurdity on the value of platinum quoted at Fr. 3,000 per kilogram instead of Fr. 700 and its origins: in official documents because they brought ore from countries that do have never provided . As for the quantities introduced annually in France , numbers that concern them, and seem to have no value , only indicate that consumption of platinum is growing in our country.

New platinum is bought for Fr. 1,000 without manufacture: the deteriorated object that has not lost weight, where the metal remains unaltered, will only sell at a price of Fr. 750 per kilogram suffering a 25% loss. This platinum's depreciation is caused by the fact that it must be dissolved and prepared again, as if it were still in the ore. That is why it is not worth much more than the ore itself, the current price (coming from Choco) is Fr. 700 kilogram.
 


Citation:  ANNALES DES MINES OU RECUEIL DE MEMOIRES SUR L'EXPLOITATION DES MINES ET SUR... (1859) p.113

Belge reference:

1858: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Scrap, Bid) = Fr 18.66 (USD$ 3.63)
1858: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Scrap, Bid) = Fr 23.33 (USD$ 4.54)

1858: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Ru ingot, whols.) = Fr 18.66 (USD$ 3.)
 
1859: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Ru ingot, whols.) = Fr 15.55 (USD$ 3.)

1858: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (German mfg, discounted) = (~USD$ 6.0)

The platinum wicks cost Fr. 1 - 2  according to their dimensions. Their duration is indefinite if the hydrogen gas was always absolutely pure, and if their fragility was increased by crystallization, rather slow indeed, which is made in the surface of the son, exposed to a temperature as high as is that of the flame of hydrogen. The period may be fixed to at least one year; the factory then takes back the used wicks by paying at the rate of 60 to 75 centimes per gram. Costs for the wicks are not significant, and will be offset by the savings on to the glass chimneys, which can be discarded.

c.1857/8
Citation: L' éclairage au gaz à l'eau à Narbonne et l'éclairage au gaz Leprince ...; B. Verver (1858) p.27


1857: 1 Troy Oz Platinum (Mkt) = Fr 31.10  (USD $ 6.07)
1857: 1 Troy Oz Platinum (Mkt, Used) = Fr 24.88  (USD $ 4.86)
1857: 1 Troy Oz Platinum (Scrap) = Fr 21.77  (USD $ 4.25)


 

50 Centimeters of Platinum Wire = Fr. 2.50 ($ 0.49) ; 1 Inch Pt Wire ~ $0.025



Scrap Rate:


Platinum Weights, New and Used:

Platinum-tipped tongs

 

Exceedingly high cost.
1857: 1 Ozt. Platinum Chloride (PtCl2, Ret.) =  Fr 124.41

Citation: L'Officine ou Répertoire géneral de pharmacie pratique; François Dorvault, François Laurent Marie Dorvault (1858)


1857: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Trade) = Fr 31.10  (USD $ 6.07)




Other:

Germany, 1858: Platinum Instruments of

1858: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Paris: Mkt) = Fl. 11.612 - 13.064
1857: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Paris: scrap, Bought) = Fl. 8.71 - 9.80

1858: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (German Refined)= Fl 14.515 (USD$ 6.10) 
1858: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (German Refined)= Rthlr. 9.677

1858: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mfg/Trade)= Fl 16.55; Rthlr. 11.04 (USD$ 6.54)
1858: 1 Troy Oz Pt (Est. Paris-Mfg comparison)= Fr. 35.48 (USD$ 6.61)

9. Die Platingeräthe von W. C. Heraeus in Hanau.

It will interest some readers of Neues Repertorium and good to hear that Mr. W.C. Heraeus, pharmacist in Hanau, has founded there a bullion-refinery for Platinum, Palladium, Gold and Silver, and for which all  relevant chemical purposes are crafted Platinum implements, indeed at the same prices as in Paris and  20% cheaper than previously common in Germany.  Namely, 1 Gram at 1 French Franc (or 28 Kreuzer) and a Kilogram of refined Platinum is charged at 466.66 Gulden, without including the fashioning, also for an order of a whole kilo. a 3% rebate is granted (for three kilos., 5%.) Also approve how the fashioning is charged, e.g. for a capsule weighing 60 Grams and thereabouts also, 6 Francs; for a crucible of 50 Grams, 5 Francs; for similar 20-22 Grams, 4 Francs and a crucible 12-13 Grams at 3 Francs {extra}.


Citation: Neues Repertorium für die Pharmacie, Vol. 7 (1858) p.89

 

Eduard Gressler, Berlin Prices.

Where the larger dimension (6 x 3 zoll-maße) Platinum Sheet was 123.13 cm² (~ 246.26 cm² Surface Area) and cost an assumed Preuss.Thlr 4.833 (Net Cost of Carbon Plate Element, same dimensions), ∴ :

Battery Platinum Plate: 1 US Sq.In. cost Preuss.Thlr 0.253251255 ($ 0.1816)

 



Where 1 zoll-maße = 2.6154 cm or 1.0297 Inches,

 

Suspect English Ounce Troy, reprinted at common exchange.

c. 1858
Citation: Elementar-Handbuch der Pharmacie mit Berücksichtigung der sämmtlichen...; Otto Oskar Albert Ziurek (1859)






1857: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Paris: Mfg, Still) = Fl. 17.42
1857: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Paris: Mkt) = Fl. 14.52
1857: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Paris: scrap, Bought) = Fl. 8.71



c.1857: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (German Refined) ~ Fl 17.42 (USD$ )
c.1857: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mfg/Trade Price) ~ Fl 19.87 (USD$ )  
1857: 1 Troy Ounce Pt (Paris-Refined, Mkt)= Fr. 31.103 (USD$ 5.80)

1857: 1 Troy Ounce Pt (Paris-Refined, Mkt)= Fr. 31.103 (USD$ 5.80)

1858: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (German Refined)= Fl 14.515 (USD$ 6.10) 
1858: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (German Refined)= Rthlr. 9.677

1858: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mfg/Trade)= Fl 16.55; Rthlr. 11.04 (USD$ 6.54)
1858: 1 Troy Oz Pt (Est. Paris-Mfg comparison)= Fr. 35.48 (USD$ 6.61)

1858: 1 Troy Ounce (refined, mkt) = Thl 8.29 (USD$ 5.95)
............................................................~ Fl 14.52 (USD$ 6.10)

1858: 1 Troy Ounce (refined) = French Fr 31.10 (USD$ 6.07)

1858: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (mfg) ~ Fl 17.50 (USD$ 7.35)

12 g crucible = 7 Fl (USD$ 2.94)
20 g crucible = 11.20 Fl (USD$ 4.70)
30 g crucible = 16.80 Fl (USD$ 7.05)
50 g crucible = 25.67 Fl (USD$ 10.78)
60 g crucible = 30.80 Fl (USD$ 12.94)

 

c.1856: Manufactured Platinum, 8x the Price of Silver

1856: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (ore) ~ Fl 1.52 (USD$ )

1856: 1 Troy Oz. platina (ore, 4.75x) ~ Fl 4.55 - 6.06 (USD$ 1.86 - 2.48)

1856: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (mfg) ~ Fl 12.14 (USD$ 4.96)

The value of crude platinum is the 3-4x of silver, pure and processed about the 8x.

The platinum was used for a while in Russia to coins and medals, but it has stopped again. At present it serves only to wires, plates, crucibles, dishes, distillation vessels and galvanic apparatuses, but is irreplaceable for many purposes due to its infusibility.

Citation: Das Mineralreich in Bildern: naturhistorisch-technische Beschreibung und... Johann Gottlob von Kurr (1858) p.48



1860:

UK, 1857: Knight's Catalogue Prices

Noad's Catalogue listed the same prices in 1855 and 1857, Oz avd.

In 1856, Pure Gold Sheet (£ 5.50) was 3.67x more expensive than Platinum Sheet, which was 4x more expensive than Silver Sheet (£ 0.43).

1857: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (Semi-Mfg, Retail) = £ 1.65 (USD$ 8.05)
1857: 1 Troy Oz. Gold (Semi-Mfg, Ret.) = £ 5.50 (USD$ 26.91)
1857: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (Semi-Mfg, Ret.) = £ 0.40 (USD$ 1.96)

 

The additional cost of the Platinum estimated at £ 0.325 or 6.5s., the 3"x6" sheet weighs 0.1975 Ozt (6.14 Grams, 94.8 Grains Troy):  £ 0.0181 and 5.3 Grains per sq. in.

Smee's Battery (Medium, 3.5"x5.5" Platinized Silver Plate) : £ 0.725

Grove's Battery (Platinum Plate, 18 sq. in./36 sq. in. surface) : £ 1.05

 

 
Where a Grove's Battery (Small Platinum Plate) cost £ 0.525, the Platinum was 2.75s. over the Smee Battery.

Citation: Griffin Advertisement in Catalogue of the Educational Division of the South Kensington Museum (1857) p.26

Where 40 Batteries cost £ 2,500., each enormous Smee Platinized Silver battery plus upkeep cost £ 62.50





Other PGMs rising, c.1850-8:

c.1850?: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Whols., Residue: Ir, Rh, etc.) = £ 0.2743
1857: 1 Troy Oz. PGMs (Whols, Residue: Ir, Rh, etc.) = £ 1.10 - 1.34 ($5.37-6.54)
 

1857: 1 Troy Ounce Iridium (Ore, Best grain) = £ 8.0 (USD$ 39.12)

1857: 1 Troy Ounce Iridium (Ore, Worst grain) = £ 0.75 (USD$ 3.67)

Citation: The Civil Engineer and Architect's Journal, Vol. 20 ; William Laxton, 1857, p.151

Citation: Journal, Vol. 6 ; Royal Society of Arts (1858) p.361

 

(English?) Dental alloy, c.1857: 71.4% Ag - 28.6% Pt (Retail Cost est. ~£ 0.76)




Humby's Dental alloy, c.1857: 52.6% Ag, 26.3% Pt, 5.3% Au, 15.8% Zn




UK platina imports (1857): ~30% from Russia, as ore? Johnson & Matthey were likely importing Russian Scrap (pure) and ore (~75%) simultaneously.

St. Thomas/ Caribbean (Colombian) = 68%  
Germany (Russian)  = 18.82%
Russia (Russian)  = 11%
France (Ru?)  = 2.14% 

Colombian 84% Ore @ £ 0.8653 = 14,383 Ozt., or 12,082 Ozt. Fine Pt
Russian 75% Ore @£ 0.7281 = 5,315 Ozt., or 3,986 Ozt. Fine Pt
Russian Scrap @£ 0.9707 = 7,087 Ozt. Fine Pt