UK, 1806-1846: Falling Price of English Bar Iron

English Bar Iron Price at Liverpool

UK, 1886

London Pt Scrap Dealers: Derby & Co. 44 Clerkenwell Rd

UK, 1931

Citation: The Mining Magazine, Vol. 45 p.364

Platinum. — Prices continue to advance to counteract the depreciation in sterling, current quotations for refined metal being £11 7s. 6d. to £11 13s. 6d. per oz. Demand, however, is poor. 
Palladium. — Quotations stand at about £4 15s. to £5 per oz. ...


... A fairly good enquiry has developed from users in this country, prices here at £95 for ingots and bars being below the international value of the metal, which remains at £85 gold.

UK, 1942

Citation: The Mining Magazine, Vol.66-67 -(1942) p. 212 

Germany, on the other hand, appears to be getting very short of platinum. Prices remain at £8 10s. to /8 12s. 6d. per ... All available supplies are very readily absorbed, buying prices here ranging from about 55s. to 100s. per unit f.o.b. producing country, according to circumstances. ... but essential needs are bemc met in full, with prices still officially held at £110 per ton delivered for minimum 99% ingots.

UK, 1943

Citation: The Mining Magazine - Vol. 68 (1943) p.108
Platinum. — Prices remain at the level at which they have stood for a long time — namelv, £ 8 10s. to £8 12s. lxl. per troy oz. for ... Whilst official buying prices here still range from 55s. to 100s. per unit f.o.b. producing country most of the material is ... Virgin ingots, minimum 99%, are still priced at £110 per ton delivered.



1943: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (ore, NSW) = £ 6.3724 (USD$ )
1945: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (ore) = £ 11. (USD$ )

1925: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (ore, Tasmania) = £ 30.7786 (USD$ )
1925: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (ore, Cited High) = £ 31. (USD$ )

1938: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (ore, Cited Low) = £ 0.7667 (USD$ )
1938: 1 Troy Oz. Gold (Fine, mkt) = £ 8.69 - 9.14 (USD$ )


1940: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (ore, Rise) = £ 25.9542 (USD$ )
1940: 1 Troy Oz. Gold (Fine, mkt) = £ 10.4167 - 10.671 (USD$ )


1945: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (ore, 'High') = £ 25.525 (USD$ )
1945: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (ore, avg.) = £ 24.45 (USD$ )
1945: 1 Troy Oz. Gold (Fine, mkt) = £ 10.6 - 10.74 (USD$ )


Citation: Official Year Book of the Commonwealth of Australia No. 37 - 1946 and 1947 By Australia. Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics. p. 832; p.620

UK, 1936

9/18/1936: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (UK Mkt, Ingot) =  £ 13.50 (USD$ 68.35)

"A remarkable advance in the price of platinum was experienced during 1936 when on September 18, the London quotation for the metal approximated £13 10s. or $68.29 per fine ounce in Canadian funds, later declining to $55.75 by October 3. "Metal and Mineral Markets", New York, commented on the situation in August as follows: "Though the demand for platinum against normal requirements of consumers has increased this year along with the general recovery in business, and prices have strengthened, the recent advance of $10 per ounce in a single day was not welcomed in platinum circles. The sharp advance on August 18 to $53 per ounce resulted chiefly from speculative activities. Literature has been distributed to probable buyers informing them that refined platinum is now available in convenient three ounce bars, properly assayed and stamped by a recognized dealer in the metal as to weight and fineness. The bars, it is stated, may be deposited in a bank and certificates issued against the platinum to facilitate trading. Speculation in platinum by the uninformed, producers fear, will do more harm than good to the industry". During recent years leaf palladium has been used in the same manner as leaf silver and gold ; palladium alloys, chiefly white in color, are utilized largely in the manufacture of jewellery; palladium is also employed as dental metal, as contacts"

"Speculation in platinum metal was initiated in New York early in 1936, when platinum was offered as an alternative to gold for hoarding purposes. The corporation concerned bought the metal and deposited it in a bank in the form of 3-ounce ingots, numbered and stamped for weight and fineness. Certificates were then issued on the backing of the metal held in the bank, and outside speculators dealt in the certificates at prices as much as £2 above the value of the metal. Speculation soon assumed serious proportions and the price of the metal advanced steadily. When the peak price of £14 was reached early in September a number of speculators attempted to take profits, but consumers who were but consumers who were already well supplied refused to buy and the speculative holdings were then offered at declining prices.  A. H. Atkinson and A. R. Raper, both of the Mond Nickel Co., Ltd., gave special attention to the subject of platinum at the autumn meeting of the Institute of Metals, which was held in Paris."

"When the peak price of  £14 was reached early in September, a number of speculators attempted to take their profits. Consumers who were already well supplied, refused to "buy." Speculative holdings have since "been offered at declining prices in order to tempt consumers to purchase. (Consular Clerk Alfred Nutting, London, Oct. 13, 1936.) Messrs, R. E"

UK, 1930

Citation: Yearbook of the Encyclopedia Americana (193?) p.583
"The fall in the price of platinum in 1930 was attributed to the increased production of South Africa at a price so far below what the metal could be produced for in other sections that it was proposed by producers to form a combination to maintain a stable price, as has been the practice of the diamond producers' syndicate."


In South Africa, the ore price fell to £ 7. (6/1930: USD$ 33.88)

UK, 1802

Wollaston's purchase of platina ore, from Paris?

Citation: "William Wollaston, John Johnson and Colombian alluvial platina: A study inrestricted industrial enterprise" Melvyn C. Usselman in Annals of Science, 37:3, (1980) pp. 253-268

"558 ounces purchased 12 July 1802 was identified as 'Lot T, French' and may refer to platina imported from France."

Australia, 1906

1905: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (London: Bulk, Mkt) = £ 4.5167 (USD$ 21.99)



Citation: E/MJ, Engineering and Mining Journal, Vol. 83 (5/11/1907) p.907

UK, 1908

January, 1907: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mkt) = £ 7. (USD$ )

Jan 1908:


Apr 1908:


Nov 1908:


Summer 1908: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (Mkt) = £ 4.25 ($20.64-20.55)

Citation: The Chemical world, Vol. 1 (Oct. 1912) p. 354

Erroneous?
Citation: Mineral Resources of Australia: Summary reports, Issues 34-43 (1956) p.73
 "A nadir of 23 dollars an ounce was reached in 1908..."


  Philip Harris and Co., Ltd Catalogue with Grove's Battery

UK, 1917

1917: 1 Troy Ounce Palladium = £ 26.44 (USD$ 125.83)

Citation: Treatise on General and Industrial Inorganic Chemistry;  Ettore Molinari (1920) 

UK, 1807

Wollaston purchased two platina thermometers from Chas. Malacrida of High Holborn St. for 19s.

Wollaston assumed Johnson purchased 1 Libra for S$ 6. silver; at 1807 forex on New Dollars:

1806: 1 Troy Ounce platina (Importer's Cost, 76.3% ore)  = £ 0.0886 - 0.1063
1806: 1 Troy Oz Pt (Importer's Cost, .999)  = £ 0.1162 - 0.1394
1806: 1 Troy Oz Pt (Wollaston's Labor, Per Ozt)  = £ 0.10
1806: 1 Troy Oz Platinum (Lowest Cost Basis, .999)  = £ 0.2162 - 0.2394

UK, 1853

Edward Wolstenholme Ward (E.W. Ward) was named Captain in 1852; he was sent to New South Wales, Australia in 1854.  His earlier report (as a Lieutenant) included Portsmouth retail Platinum prices (1850).

1850: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Portsmouth, UK: Sheet, Whols.)  = £ 1.60 (USD$ 7.79)

1853: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Semi-Mfg, Ret.) = £ 1.40 (USD$ 6.50)
1853: 1 Troy Oz. Gold (Semi-Mfg, Ret.) = £ 4.25 (USD$ 19.73) 

1853: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Paris: Semi-Mfg, Ret.) ~ £ 1.86 (Fr 46.65)

1855: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Semi-Mfg, Trade) = £ 1.30 (USD$ 6.36)

Foil Battery, ea.: Pt 1.73 Grams/ 26.66 Grains Troy = £ 0.2611 (USD$ 1.21) 
Sheet Battery, ea.: Pt 9.41 Grams/ 145.2 Grains Troy = £ 0.5917 (USD$ 2.75) 

Dalgleish Pt Battery, ea.: Pt 25.815 Grams/ 398.4 Grains Troy = £ 1.462 (USD$ 6.79)  

Grove's Battery:
Where One Box was 7" long x 4" wide x 4" tall, factoring case, each cell should have been 2" x 2" wide (x4" tall?), with ~145 Grains Troy (~9.41 Grams)

1853: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Semi-Mfg, Ret.) = £ 1.35 (USD$ 6.27)
     Citation: Papers on Subjects Connected with the Duties of the Corps of Royal Engineers, Vol. 4 (1855)


 


1853: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mfg., Ret.) = £ 1.75 (USD$ 8.51)

Citation: Transactions, Vol. 1, ; North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers, p.453


1853:





Commercial value of platina : ~50% Gold.



1852/3: 1 Troy Oz. platina (Ore, Retail) = £ 0.823 (USD$ 4.0)

1852/3:
Citation: Rheinisches Mineralien-Comptoir: Catalogue of mineralogical, geological... A. Krantz (1853)
 

c.1855: "Rhodium" (Iridium) for Pen Points

UK, 1791

Joseph Priestley's Birmingham laboratory was destroyed by rioters and fire in July 1791. Assuming the insurance claim's weight avoirdupois,

1791: 1 Troy Ounce platina (UK: 70% ore, retail purchase) = £0.3291
1791: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (UK: 70% ore, .999) ~ £0.47

UK, 1896: Numismatic Prices for Pt Roubles

c.1896: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (London Mkt) = £ 1.75 - 2.25 (USD$ 8.56 - 11.)

Citation: Western druggist, Vol. 18 (1896) p.413


1896: 1 Ozt. Platinum (UK: Semi-Mfg) = £ 2.25 (USD$ 10.96)



Where a 3-Platinum coin weighed 10.35 Grams, .975 Pure Pt, the following 'Ask' prices likely exceed numismatic market prices. Avg Numismatic Ask: £ 4.75/Ozt;

3/1896: 1 Ozt. Pt Coin (Numismatic: 12-руб, Au-50) = £ 5.78 (USD$ 28.15)
3/1896: 1 Ozt. Pt Coin (Numismatic: 6-руб, Au-50) = £ 3.85 (USD$ 18.77)
3/1896: 1 Ozt. Pt Coin (Numismatic: 3-руб, MS-70) = £ 4.62 (USD$ 22.50)
  
March 1896:
Citation: The Numismatic Circular, Volumes 2-4 Apr. 1896 p.1654


10/1896: 1 Ozt. Pt Coin (Numismatic: 12-руб, Au-50) = £ 5.0 (USD$ 24.36)
10/1896: 1 Ozt. Pt Coin (Numismatic: 6-руб, Au-50) = £ 3.85 (USD$ 18.77)
10/1896: 1 Ozt. Pt Coin (Numismatic: 3-руб, MS-70) = £ 4.62 (USD$ 22.50)
10/1896: 1 Ozt. Pt Coin (Numismatic: 3-руб, MS-60) = £ 3.47 (USD$ 16.90)

October 1896:
Citation: The Numismatic Circular, Volumes 2-4 Nov. 1896 p.1970



Australia:




Assuming 76.90% Pt ore, w/ 5% Shipping and £ 0.0625 Refining Cost @ London:

1896: 1 Ozt. platina (UK: NSW.769) = £ 1.427
1896: 1 Ozt. platina (UK: NSW.769, net S/H) ~ £ 1.355
1896: 1 Ozt. Pt (UK: NSW.999) = £ 1.763
1896: 1 Ozt. Platinum (UK: NSW.999, net S/H, refined) = £ 1.825

1896: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Producer Cost: NSW Ore, Ref.) ~ £ 1.92


 

Australia, 1897

1897: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (UK: Mkt, Refined) = £ 2.75 (USD$ 13.37) 
 
 Where Australia produced 1,966 Ozt  (61.15 Kgs) worth £2,949

1897: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (Australia: Ore, Spot) = £ 1.50

Citation: Annual Report - New South Wales Department of Mines (1896-8) p.69

 

 
1897: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (Australia: Spot, .999) = £ 1.75 - 2. 
1897: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (Australia: ore 70% - 85% ) = £ 1.40 - 1.50
 

 

Australia:

Assuming 76.90% Pt ore, w/ 5% Shipping and £ 0.0625 Refining Cost @ London:

1897: 1 Ozt. platina (UK: NSW.769) = £ 1.
1897: 1 Ozt. platina (UK: NSW.769, net S/H) ~ £ 1.
1897: 1 Ozt. Pt (UK: NSW.999) = £ 1.
1897: 1 Ozt. Platinum (UK: NSW.999, net S/H, refined) = £ 1.

189: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Producer Cost: NSW Ore, Ref.) ~ £ 1.


 

UK (Australia), 1919: Tasmanian Osmiridium

October?, 1919: 1 Troy Ounce Osmiridium (Tasmania) = £ 33.

UK, 1881

1881: 1 Troy Ounce platina (Est.: SPb mkt, bulk 75%) ~ £ 0.4604 (USD$ 2.24)
1881: 1 Troy Ounce Pt (SPb mkt, .999) = £ 0.6139 (USD$ 2.98)
1881: 1 Troy Oz. platina (Est.: London, bulk 75%) ~ £ 1.02 (USD$ 4.96)
1881: 1 Troy Oz. platina (London: ore@ .999?) ~ £ 1.36 (USD$ 6.58) 

1881: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Paris: Ingot, .999) ~ £ 1.60 (USD$ 7.785)

1881/2: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (UK: Sheet, retail) = £ 2.00 (USD$ 9.72)

1881: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (USA: Coin, Scrap rate) ~ £ 1.45 (USD$ 7.05)
1881: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (USA: Semi-Mfg, Retail) = ~ £ 2.468 (USD$ 12.)  
1881: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (USA: European Mfg., Retail) ~ £ 2.542 (USD$ 12.36)

1881: 1 Troy Oz. platina (London, bulk) ~ £ 1.36 (USD$ 6.58)
 

Citation: The Electrical Engineer, Vol. 15, No. 254, 3/15/1893 p.268

Suspect dated price information.

Citation: Amateur Work, Illustrated, Vol. 2 (1883)
The platinum foil costs about 30s. an ounce, but this quantity is not necessarily expended in one cell.

UK, 1858

1857: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (UK Retail, semi-mfg) = £ 1.65

1858/9:  1 Troy Oz. platina (Cartagena: 84% ore) = £ 0.8653
1858/9:  1 Troy Oz. Pt (Colombian Spot, .999) = £ 1.03 

1858: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (German Producer: Refined) = £ 1.22
1858: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (German Producer: Mfg) = £ 1.384

1858: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Paris: scrap) = £ 0.7433
1858: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Paris: Mfg) = £ 1.24
1858: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Paris: Mfg) = £ 1.32
1858: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Paris: Mfg, Retail) = £ 1.32


  Grove's Battery with large sized plates (3"x6") for resale:
 

UK, 1839

1840: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (Semi-Mfg, Ret.) = £ 1.50 

c.1839/40:

Citation: A Manual of Chemistry: Containing the Principal Facts of the Science; John White Webster (1840)


 



William Sturgeon's Fifth Memoir was composed in 1839, so his prices must date from that year. As a Grove's Battery of 10 Elements cost £ 7.0, a single Grove's Element cost £ 0.70 w/ 1 o.5"x 4" = 2" Sq. Foil. Where 50 pairs Platinum Plates 4"(o.5"x 4" = 2" Sq., double-sided = 4" Sq.) = 100 Sq. In.; 1 Grove's Battery (10 Pair) = 20 Sq. In.; 1 Element created .5 Cu. In. gas per minute.
 
Citation: The Annals of Electricity Magnetism and Chemistry and Guardian..., Vol 5, No. 26 August 1840






c. 1839: where a Platinized Silver plate (32 sq. in. surface) sold for £ 0.30;  = 206.4 cm², 3.808 mg. would be necessary to platinize this area/amount of Silver.

Citation: Lectures on Electricity: Comprising Galvanism, Magnetism, Electro-magnetism ...Henry Minchin Noad (1844)



1837: Platina Plate, presumably. A Britannia-Metal Tea Pot sold for £ 0.075








Hammered Platinum should have a Specific Gravity ~22.07