Germany: Weights (Nurmburg vs. Cologne Mark)

Berlin (& Erfurt):

1850: 
Where 1 Preuss. Loth = 0.47 Ozt; 2.128 Loth = 1 Ozt.




Where 1 Preuss. Apothek.Loth = 0.47 Ozt; 2.128 Loth = 1 Ozt.



  Hamburg:

Where 481 English Troy Ounces = 64 Marcs, 1 Marc =  7.203125 Ozt.

1797:


After Reishammer (1800), where 1 Marc =  7.203125 Ozt., 

S$ 1,000. = 103.125 Marcs (742.8223 Ozt) Fine Ag ; S$ 1. = 0.742822266 Ozt Fine Ag
S$ 1,000. = 115.1163 Marcs (829.1969 Ozt) Fine Ag ; S$ 1. = 0.8291969 Ozt
 



Frankfurt: 
 1 Loth Silbergewicht = ~0.47 Ozt; at least 14.616 g.

Frankfurt, 1805: 1 Loth Silbergewicht = 14.621052725 g. = 0.470077766 Ozt.



Frankfurt, 1808: 1 Loth Silbergewicht = 14.62105 g. = 0.47007768 Ozt.



Frankfurt, 1832: 1 Loth Silbergewicht = 14.6223125 g. = 0.47011827 Ozt.



(Note error: 467 22/25 g.)
Frankfurt, 1834: 1 Loth Silbergewicht = 14.62125 g. = 0.47008411 Ozt.
 




Frankfurt, 1848: 1 Loth Silbergewicht = 14.62231 g. = 0.47011807 Ozt.


Frankfurt, 1850: 1 Loth Silbergewicht = 14.62231 g. = 0.47011807 Ozt.



Frankfurt, 1858: 1 Loth Silbergewicht = 14.61596875 g. = 0.469914315 Ozt.



Frankfurt, 1859: 1 Loth Silbergewicht = 14.61596875 g. = 0.469914315 Ozt.




1842:
Cologne Marc = 233.77 g.; 1 Cologne Loth = 14.61063 g.

 

French Grammes, English Troy Grains, German Grains 


1823, Prag: 1 Frankfurt Silber-pfund = 32 Loth ; 1 Loth = 14.62126 g. = 0.4701 Ozt.


Leichtgewicht (Silberpfund)




  Nuremburg: 1 Apothecary Loth = 14.902663 g. = 0.479131745 Ozt

 

Where the Prussian Medicinal Pfund equals 11.278 English Troy Ounces or 350.78348 grams:


After 1820: 

1 Prussian Pfund = 467.7185 g. where 1 Loth = 14.6162 g.




1 Berlin Loth = 0.47 Ozt 


1829: Nuremburg Pfund =501.41 g. ; 1 Loth Nürnberg = 15.95 g.



 
1829: Hannover Unze = 30.6 g. ; 1 Loth Hannover = 15.3 g. 




1829: Cöln Unze = 29.2 g. ; 1 Loth Cöln = 14.6 g. 




1829: München Pfund= 560 g. ; 1 Loth Cöln = 17.5 g.

 

1 Rheinbayerische Quadratzoll = 5.9154 cm²



1829: Würzburg Quentschen = 3.98 g; 1 Loth = 15.92 g.




Weight, Prussian Pfund:



Where 2.85 Poud (= 113 Funt; 1,500.94 Ozt. = 46.684 Kgs.) = "199.5 Marcs" 
1 Marc = 7.52349599 Ozt. 


Where 10.5625 Funt (= 139.07 Ozt. = 4.326 Kgs.) = 9.2421875 Pfund Preuss. = 18.5 Marc
1 Pfund Preuss. = 15.047 Ozt. and 2.002 Marc

English/German Weight:  Where the Kilogram (32.150747 Ozt.) = 2.138072384 Prussian Pfund, 1 Prussian Pfund = 0.467711013 Kg; 15.03725844 Ozt.  

Where 1 Lb. avd. = 31.018 Prussian Loth of Commerce, 1 Ounce Troy = 2.12695 Loth; 1 Loth = 0.4701 Ozt





The Commercial Pfund of (16 Unzen/32 Loth) weighed 467.5866 Grams (15.03 English Troy Ounces); 1 Unze = 29.2242 Grams (0.9396 Troy Ounce ~ 0.94 Ozt) so 1 Troy Ounce = 1.0643 Unzen.

Medical Weight: 
At the Apothecary Weight of Nuremburg, 1 Pfund = 12 Unzen = 357.8436 Grammes (11.505 English Troy Ounces) ; 1 Unze = 29.8203 Grams (0.9588 Troy Ounce) so 1 Troy Ounce = 1.043 Unzen.

It appears that Platinum (Pt) was most often sold by the Loth (of the Nuremburg or Apothecary Pfund) but there may have been exceptions, where the weight was the heavier Cologne Mark or the lighter common Pfund.  German weights are somewhat dubious in this regard.

1 Pfund (Nuremburg; Apothecary) = 12 Unzen = 11.5 English Troy Ounces 

1 Unze = 29.259 Grams;  0.9407 Troy Ounces   

1 Loth = 14.8986 Grams; 230 grains = 0.4790 Troy Ounce

It's not entirely clear when and where Platinum was weighed by the Cologne Mark, but where Pt was considered as Gold or Silver that likely occurred.

1 Marc of Cologne = 8 Unzen = 16 Loth = 3608 English Troy grains. 

The Cologne Mark = 233.77 Grammes  = 7.51588 Troy Ounces.
8 Unzen > 1 Unze = 29.2213 Grammes  = 0.9395 > 0.94066 Troy Ounce.
1 Loth = 225.76 grains = 0.4703 Troy Ounce ; 1 Unze (2 Loth) = 0.9407 Troy  Oz; 1 Loth = 14.6106 grams metric
1 Unze = 29.259 Grams; 1 Mark Pfund = 15.04 Troy Ounces. 







1836:  1 Loth = 14.615 (14.614746) g.



1840:
1 Marc of 16 Loth = 233.8555 g.; 1 Loth = 14.616 g. (0.47 Ozt) 

Citation: Dictionnaire universel des poids et mesures anciens et modernes... Horace Doursther (1840)


1851:
1 Hanover Pfund of 32 Loth = 466.67 g.; 1 Hanover Loth = 14.583 g. (0.469 Ozt)
so 1 Zollgewicht Loth = 16.67 g. (0.53585 Ozt)

Citation: Preis-Katalog Der Zur Londoner Industrie-Ausstellung Aus Dem Deutschen ...Great Exhibition (1851, London)






USA: in 1850, where the Bavarian Pfund is assumed 560.03 g. or 18.00 Ozt:



Where 1 Preuss. Loth = 14.59854015 gr., 1 Preuss. Unze-Wasser = 29.19708029 gr.



c.1853:


1856:

Where 1 Cologne Loth weighs 14.616 g., 1 Ozt = 2.128 Loth köln.



New Prusian Zoll-Pfund (30 Loth) of 500 g.; 1 Loth = 16.666 g.


After 1858:


Medical Weight: 
At the Apothecary Weight of Nuremburg 1 Pfund = 12 Unzen = 357.8436 Grammes; 1 Unze = 29.8203 Grams (0.9588 English Troy Ounce) so 1 Troy Ounce = 1.043 Unzen.

  







1840: Horace Doursther's Dictionnaire universel des poids et mesures anciens et modernes
                                                                                                   English // Grams

1848: Leopold Gmelin's Hand-book of chemistry, Vol. 1

Erfurt:

1835: Kelly's Universal Cambist

1856: Wesley Stoker B. Woolhouse's The measures, weights, & moneys of all nations (1850)

1 Bayerische Pfund = 560 g. = 18.00 Ozt.

1 Bavarian Pfund = 18.00 Ozt

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

Germany: Prices & Dates TBE

Where the Braunschweig Thaler (of 24 Groschen) was £ 0.15 and the Loth 14.5875 Grams (.469 Ozt.) the assumed value of 8 Loth (3.752 Ozt) in Gold is £ 15. or respectively:

c.1844? 1 Troy Ounce Gold (German estimate) = Thaler 26.65 (£ 4.)
c.1844? 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (German estimate) = Thaler 6.66 (£ 1.)
c.1844? 1 Troy Oz. Silver (German estimate) = Thaler 1.904 (£ 0.2856)


For 100 Thalers one can purchase: 8 Loth Gold, 32 Loth platinum, or 112 Loth Silver, or 2,000 Loth Mercury; 8 Loth of Gold THEREFORE has the same commercial value such as 32 Loth of platinum, 112 ounces of Silver, etc.

c. 1844??? First Ed. in 1846
Citation: Die schule der chemie, oder. Erster unterricht in der chemie, versinalicht... Julius Adolph Stöckhardt(1850)



c. 1849:

Citation: Skizzen aus dem steinreiche; Franz von Kobell (1850) p.179 

1860: Ein Pfund rohes Platin kostet ungefähr 180 fl., verarbeitet 250 st. Palladium.

Citation: Geschichte der mineralogie: Von 1650-1860; Franz von Kobell (1866) p.562

Austria, 1819

In May 1819, Herr Josef Claudius Pittoni Ritter von Dannenfeldt brought platina to Wien, sold by the Unze in Florin Convention Munze, 3 Fl. 24 Kr.(Fl.C.M. 3.40)

The Florin of Convention was revalued 1819, so alternate calculations and distortions of the forex are possible. However, it appears the Wien retail ore was ~45% higher than the Paris and London prices, or at least 7.5 - 8x higher (> 10-11x?) than the South American source crude rate.  

If not otherwise a global price, it appears the cited Wien retail ore came through Paris or London, with a standard ~100% markup.  (Paris- or London-manufactured Platinum should be proportionally higher, accordingly.)  ​​

1800:  1 Troy Ounce platina (Brno: imported ore, retail) = Fl. 10.67 (Fr. 28.21)
1800: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Brno: local semi-mfg, retail) = Fl. 16. (Fr. 42.31)

1818:  1 Troy Ounce Platinum (@ Paris, Producer's semi-mfg) ~ Fl. 11.25

1819: 1 Troy Ounce of platina (Paris Price) ~ {equiv.} Conv. Fl 1.85 - 2.27 
1819: 1 Troy Ounce platina (Colombia: Ore, 80%) =  S$ 0.1352 (Thlr 0.20 ~Fr 0.73~£0.048
1819: 1 Troy Oz. platina (Wien: 80% ore, London import @ £0.1667) = Fl 1.53
1819: 1 Troy Oz. platina (Wien: 80% ore, @ purity, bulk-Cost) = Fl 1.91
1819: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (Wien, Refining Cost: est. Labor @ £0.10; Fr 2.40) = Fl 0.90 -0.92
1819: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Wien: est. Producer Low Cost) ~ Fl 3.

1819: 1 Troy Ounce platina (Wien: 80% ore, retail) = Fl 3.02 
.... £ 0.33, Fr 7.77, M. 2.03

1819: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Wien: 80% ore @ purity, retail) = Fl 3.78
.... £ 0.41, Fr 9.72, M. 2.53
1819: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (Wien, Refining Cost: est. Labor) = Fl 1.0
1819: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Wien: est. Small Producer Cost) ~ Fl 4.80

2) A large platinum boiler and presumably all accessories for concentrating sulfuric acid was sold in 1819 to the refinery at Nusdorf, Vienna for Fl 3,955 Convention Munze.  The weight was reported in the Viennese Marc: equivalent to 611.67 English Troy Ounces (~19.03 Kilograms.) The manufactured price looks to be ~one-third higher that simple Sheet Platinum, if simply the metal weight.  However, the manufacturer's price also excludes taxes, tariffs, shipping and any ancillary costs: it's not the Vienna Price.

1819: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Paris mfg, pre-import) = Fl C.M. 6.47  (USD$ 3.27)
1819: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Paris mfg, estimated Wien price) ~ Fl C.M. 12.  (USD$ 5.56)

1819: 1 Troy Ounce of Platinum (Paris mfg, still) ~ {equivalent} £ 0.7546
1819: 1 Troy Ounce of Platinum (Paris mfg) ~ Fr 17.28 (USD$ 3.15 - 3.78)

In a much later summary, Schubert revises the numbers to different German moneys  (consistent with each other, but slightly different by forex.) 

"1819": 1 Troy Ounce of Platinum (mfg, still) = Rh Gulden 8.13 (USD$ 4.11)

"1819": 1 Troy Ounce of Platinum (mfg, still) = ReichThlr. 4.52 (USD$ 3.35)

Foreign exchange for (paper) currency were uncertain and fluctuating but in this period  
1 Convention Florin = £ 0.1091 - 0.1114; Fr 2.50 - 2.60.   Given the Convention Florin Rate quoted in Sterling (whatever forex date): the apparatus cost in Sterling ~ £ 440.50, in Francs ~ Fr 10,270. apparently (tentatively) ~ 11.60% less than Wollaston's rate (£ 0.85) for stills.  


By the very approximate dimensions of Jeannety's Platinum Still of 1812, the Nußdorf Still might weigh only ~ 7.5 kgs.

Where 1 Wiener Maß = 1.414724 Liters, ~ 100 Wiener Maß = 141.5 Liters. 

Assuming 77.7188 Wiener Mark = 21.88 Kg. without delivery at a Silver-rate of Fl. 1 = Fr 2.5975; 1 Kilogram Platinum = Fl. 180.73 ; ~Fr. 468.44  -- too low!
 
Assuming 77.7188 Paris Marc = 19.03 Kg. without delivery at a Silver-rate of Fl. 1 = Fr 2.5975; 1 Kilogram Platinum = Fl. 207.83 ; ~Fr. 540.  -- perhaps correct.

1819: 1 Troy Ozt Platinum (Paris: Mfg) ~Fr 16.79
 
Assuming 77.7188 Wiener kölnische Mark = 18.176 Kg. without delivery at a Silver-rate of Fl. 1 = Fr 2.5975; 1 Kilogram Platinum = Fl. 217.59 ; ~Fr. 565.20; ~ $ 104.45  -- most likely

1819: 1 Troy Ozt Platinum (Paris: Mfg) ~Fr 17.59
 
Among the largest apparatus of platinum are those vessels for the concentration of Oil of vitriol for the Sulphuric Acid Factory at Nußdorf near Vienna, which was manufactured by Janety in Paris.  It is similar to an alembic, forged in a single piece, weighing 77 Mark, 5 Unzen and 6 Quentchen nearly 100 Wiener measure, and is 24 Zoll in diameter and 18 Zoll high. All other connections are soldered with pure gold. It cost Fl. C.M. 3,955. He also makes bowls, jars, spades, spoons, and other chemical implements of Platinum.

Citation: Allgemeine Handlungs-Zeitung: mit den neuesten Erfindungen und ..., Vol. 27 (Oct. 1820) Nr. 208, p.833







Sounding suspiciously similar, this grand vase was displayed MM. Cuoq et Couturier in the Exposition of 1819: nearly identical weight (perhaps adding a 1.9 Kg siphon?) but different dimensions. 

Citation: Annales de l'industrie nationale et étrangère: ou Mercure ..., Vol. 3; Louis-Sébastien Le Normand, Moléonp.282











In Wien 1820, the Viennese 1 Unze - 1 Gran Weight Set cost Fl. 1.25 (0.468 Ozt Fine Ag)










Citation: Darstellung des Fabriks- und Gewerbswesens im österreichischen Kaiserstaate ...; Stephan von Keess (1823) p.539

Where 1 Loth Vienna-Weight = 17.48235166 Grams (0.562070666 English Troy Ounce), there are 1.779 Wiener Loth per Ozt.  Where 2 Loth = 1 Wiener Unze (34.9647 Grams; 1.12414133 Ozt.  The retail cost of a Kilogram of Colombian platina was Fl. 97.24 ; M 65.26.

(Where the apothecary Pfund was 420.01 g and 12 Unzen, the Wiener Unze was 1.1253 Troy Ounces.)  By comparison, the Cologne Mark is 7.517 Troy Ounces,  1 Unze of the Cologne Mark (2 Loth) = 0.9732 Troy Ounce and 1 Quentchen equals 0.00798 oz., 77 Mark 5 Unzen und 6 Quentchen = 583.71 Troy Oz. or 18.16 Kg.

Marc Étienne Janety (1738 – 1820) was deceased by 1820.

1)  Solid Platinum, small grains of silver-white color, almost as extremely heavy powder. The crude platinum is obtained partly through France, partly from England. During the Spring 1819, the {platina} cost in Paris   was Fr. 5.-6. per French Once (30.5941154 Grams) or 1.75 Loth Vienna-Weight; in England 3.5 to 4.25 Shillings (1 Fl. Kr. 49 to 2 Fl. 4. Kr. Conv​. M.)  Brought to Vienna by Herrn Pittoni v. Dannefeld, platina by the Unze stood at 3 Fl., 24 Kr. C. M. in May 1819.  It applies the same to the benefits of different trades, and processes it according to the relevant cleaning to technical implements, as retorts, dishes, pots, spade, spoons, so forth.  Such implements are shipped by Janety in Paris at the rate of Fr 18. per French Once, together with other luxury items, eg. watch-cases, chains, jewelery, commodities : etc., which are dearer in proportion to the fabrication.

Circa 1824 forex?

Citation: Darstellung des fabriks- und gewerbswesens in seinem gegenwärtigen zustande ...Stephan von Keess (1824) p. 539

Citation: Die Geschichte der Natur, als zweite, gänzlich umgearbeitete Auflage der allgemeinen Naturgeschichte. Gotthilf Heinrich von Schubert (1835) p.129

Vienna-Weights:


1812:

Converting Cologne Mark/avoirdupois English weights to Troy:

1819: 1 Troy Oz. Gold (Vienna Coined, 0.81% Premium) ~ Fl. 81.98
1819: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (Vienna Coined, 0.74% Premium) = Fl. 2.672

1819:

1819:

Fl. 1. = £0.10909, £ 1. = Fl 9.16667
Fl. 1. = Fr. 1.60 ; Fr 1. = Fl 0.625

In 1819, a year of very severe global deflation, the bulk manufactured rate for Paris Platinum fell to about $3.40.  The Philadelphia Price was ~$5.49.

Jamaica/France, 1802: German Price Cited

Fall 1801: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (Mfg: Actual Cost) = Fr. 31.102

Where Fl 1 (Bavarian Gulden) = USD$ 0.5148 (circa 1801) this per troy ounce price for  platina in Jamaica appears identical to the New York Price very widely cited in US newspapers in 1802.  (It is unlikely Schubert ever saw that reported; his estimation is probably from a different source.)  

Assuming £ 11. and the Bavarian Pfund @18 troy ounces:
1802: 1 Troy Oz. platina (Jamaica price) = Fl 5.33 ;  £ 0.61 ; ~ USD$ 2.765

It remains unclear why Paris platina prices would be significantly lower;  Wollaston also paid 1/6th the price for his large bulk purchase of platina in 1799. 

Error: the sale was of ore, not a semi-refined Platinum byproduct

"1802 in Jamaica, the cost of a Pfund of Platinum Black is Fl. 96"

Citation: Die Geschichte der Natur: als zweite gänzlich umgearbeitete ..., Volume 2; Gotthilf Heinrich von Schubert (1836) p129


1802: with a new and more efficient method for refining Platinum, Jannetty presents a variety of products.

An X. The author, as we have seen, discovered the art of working platinum, this metal so rebellious to the efforts of metallurgists, and endowed with so many valuable qualities.  He made jewelry and chemistry instruments of great utility. The jury awarded him a silver medal. (Monitor, An X, page 52.)



Citation: Die Branntweinbrennerey nach theoretischen und praktischen Grundsätzen ...; Carl Christian Adolph Neuenhahn (1803) 

France/Holland/Belgium, 1829

Where a still of 273.3 ounces reportedly cost Fr 25,000, the tariff rate was an exorbitant
Fr 91.5 per ounce.

c.1829: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (retail)  = Fr 28.44 (USD$ 5.50)

Platinum Stills, c. 1829

Belgium, 1820s: