1883: 1 Troy Oz. platina (Paris: Colombia; 83% ore) = USD$ 4.46
1883: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (Paris: Colombian ore, .999) = USD$ 5.37
Oct. 1883: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Germ.: Mfg, Ret.) ~USD$ 7.82 (ℳ 32.9163)
1883: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (NYC: Imported, Unmfg.) = USD$ 6.50 - 7.50
1883: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (NYC: Imp., Unmfg.) = USD$ 6.80
Late 1883: 1 Troy Oz Platinum (Semi-Mfg, Whols.) > USD$ 7.
1883: 1 Troy Oz Platinum (Wire, Whols.) =USD$ 7.35
1883: 1 Troy Oz. Platinumware (Phila.: Producer, Whols/Ret.) ~ USD$ 11.40
1883: 1 Troy Oz. Platinumware (NYC: Producer, Whols/Ret.) ~ USD$ 11.92
Summer, 1883: Heavy Wire?
1883: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (CA: Wire/Foil, Retail) =USD$ 12.44
October, 1883: Where 3 Sq. In. (19.3548 cm2) weighs 2.13 - 2.322 Grams, the spatula weighed ~ 18.552 Grams. We may tentatively assume USD$ 0.15 per foot (12 inches of Fine Pt Wire = 5 Grains) at $ 0.45/Gram, Foil at $ 0.44/Gram and Spatula at $ 0.43/Gram.
1883: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Assorted, Retail) =USD$ 13.26
1883: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (CA: Mfg, Retail) =USD$ 13.37
1883: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (CA: Foil, Retail) =USD$ 12.44
1883: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (CA: Fine Wire, Retail) =USD$ 14.93
Assuming a Scrap Rate of ~$0.275 Paid, for Export.
1883: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (NYC: Export, Ore @.999) = USD$ 5.49
Citation: Mineral resources of the United States, Vol. 6 (18 ) p.166
Late April 1893, reflecting on '1883 prices' :
1883: 1 Troy Oz Platinum (semi-mfg, whols.) ~/>USD$ 7.
1883: 1 Troy Oz Platinum (wire, whols.) =USD$ 7.35
1883: 1 Troy Oz. platina (NYC: CA ore, ~39% Pt) ~ USD$ 2.
1883: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (NYC: CA ore, .999 Pt) ~ USD$ 5.16
1883: 1 Troy Oz. platina (NYC: CA ore, ~52% Pt) ~ USD$ 3.
1883: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (NYC: CA ore, .999 Pt) ~ USD$ 5.77
1883: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Ore, at purity) =USD$ 5.49
c.1882/3: 1 Troy Oz. platina (California: Spot, ~52-60% Pt) = USD$ 0.75
c.1882/3: 1 Troy Oz. platina (California: Spot, Intrinsic) = USD$ 1.25 - 1.44
1883: 1 Troy Oz. platina (CA ore ~52-60%, NY Spot) ~ USD$ 2. - 3.
1883: 1 Troy Oz. platina (CA ore Intrinsic, NY Spot) ~ USD$ 3.33 - 5.77
1883: 1 Troy Oz. platina (Export: CA ore, ~52% Pt) ~ USD$ 2. - 3.
1883: 1 Troy Oz. platina (Export: CA ore, .999 Pt) ~ USD$ 3.85 - 5.77
c.1882/3: 1 Troy Oz. platina (CA: Spot, ~21% Pt, 73.5% Os-Ir) = USD$ 0.75
1883: 1 Troy Oz. Ir (NYC: CA ore, Ir 50%) ~ USD$ 4.08
1883: 1 Troy Oz. Os (NYC: CA ore, Os 23.5%) ~ USD$ 12.77
1883: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (Export: CA ore, .999) ~ USD$ 8.33 - 12.
California platina were recorded as low as 19-28% Pt, though some 'poor samples' may have included 30-52% Iridium (both Pt & Ir have relatively high specific gravities, 'poor samples' probably meant < 54% of either) Platina from Trinity River, for example was ~ 21-29% Pt. Considering all the PGMs present in California ore, where Platinum sold commercially for $6.50, Iridium $18., Osmium $45. and Rhodium $40. the true intrinsic value of a kilogram of a 'less pure' sample California platina may be seen.
45% Pt, 25% Ir, 22% Os, 8% Rh:
California Spot (CA platina) = $24. per kilogram
New York Spot (Export: CA platina) = $64. - 96. per kg.
New York Spot (Imported Refined PGMs) = $660.
1883: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (NYC: imported,unmfg) = USD$ 6.50 - 7.50
1884: 1 Troy Oz. platina (NYC: US crude) ~ USD$ 4.00
1884: 1 Troy Oz. platina (NYC: US crude, Export) = USD$ 5.00
1884: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Scrap, Bought) = £ 1.10 (USD$ 5.34)
The very low quality of Northwest platina, noted.
Citation: Index to the Executive Documents of the House of Representatives
Citation: Mineral resources of the United States, Vol. 2 US Geological Survey p.577
In the pre-War period, refiners typically did not compensate platina sellers (miners or source middle-men) for other PGMs.
Citation: Engineering and Mining Journal, Vol. 82 (10/20/1906) p.745
From The Fourth Annual Report of the State Minerologist 1884 (California), the high cost of mining and low return on platina explains local disinterest.
Reported in 1884. c.1883/4?:
Citation: The Chemical News and Journal of Physical Science, Vol. 52 (July 3,1885) p.10
New York: Platinum Wire, 1883-1898
1883: 1 Troy Oz Platinum (Wire, Whols.) =USD$ 7.35
Citation: Journal of the Franklin Institute, Vol. 146 ; Franklin Institute (Philadelphia, Pa.: 1898) p.210.
January, 1883:
November, 1882: 12-Rouble (Avg?) = USD$ 22.50
January, 1883: 12-Rouble (Avg?) = USD$ 14.75
'Numismatic' was merely double the Bulk Scrap Bid.
January 1883: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Coin: Numismatic) = $ 11.08
1883: 1 Troy Ounce Iridium (NYC: Refined, Imported) = USD$ 18.
Citation: The Annual Statistician and Economist, Vol. 13, Part 1889 ; Louis Philippe McCarty p. 179
1883/4: Bishop
1883: 1 Troy Oz Platinum (PA: Mfg., Ret.) = USD$ 11.40
1883/4 Raynor
1883: 1 Troy Oz Platinum (NYC: Mfg., Ret.) = USD$ 11.92
US Imports:
1912: 1 Troy Ounce platina (Colombian ore, Spot, Est. 80%) = USD$ 18.
1912: 1 Troy Ounce platina (Colombian ore, intrinsic) = USD$ 22.50
1912: 1 Troy Oz. Gold (Colombian ore) = C$ 10.51
Citation: The Jewelers' Circular, Vol. 81, Issue 2 p.89 (9/3/1920)
Citation: Colombia: physical features, natural resources, means of communication ... By V. Lévine (1920)
In 1910, total export of Colombian platina was estimated to be 311.04 kgs (255.05 kgs. Fine Pt) ; kgs or % of the total was exported to the USA.
At the US valuation of USD$ 20.67, Colombia produced 5,070.6 kgs. of Fine Gold; platina ore (82% Pt) was % the Gold yield and % the total Au/Pt estimate; at purity, Platinum (~ kgs) was % of the Colombian Au/Pt yield.
1910: 1 Troy Ounce Gold (Cartagena: Colombian ore) = USD$
1910: 1 Troy Ounce platina (Cartagena: Colombian ore) = USD$
1910: 1 Troy Ounce platina (NYC: Colombian ore, intrinsic) ~ USD$
In 1911, total export of Colombian platina was estimated to be 373.25 kgs (306.06 Fine Pt) where 198.16 kgs or 53.09% of the total ore was exported to the USA. (Fiscal Year, June-June, lowers Pt Totals.) Where the value was estimated at £69,179, with an estimated purity of 80-85%. The chief town for platina trade was Istamina (San Pablo) and Novita.
1911: 1 Troy Ounce platina (Colombian, 82%) = £ 5.7648
June 1910 - June 1911: 171.18 kgs
1 Troy Oz. platina (Colombian export, 82%) = USD$ 28.86
1 Troy Oz. Colombian Platinum (Colombian, .9999) = USD$ 32.76
1 Troy Oz. platina (NYC: Colombian, 82%) = USD$ 32.
1 Troy Oz. Platinum (NYC: Colombian, .9999) = USD$ 39.
January 1910 - January 1911: 198.16 kgs
At the US valuation of USD$ 20.67, Colombia produced 5,153.36 kgs. of Fine Gold; platina ore (82% Pt) was 7.24% the Gold yield and 6.75% the total Au/Pt estimate; at purity, Platinum (~306 kgs) was 5.24% of the Colombian Au/Pt yield.
The 2.88% difference between Cartagena and New York prices (USD$ 0.97) might account for shipping and insurance costs.
1911: 1 Troy Ounce Gold (Cartagena: Colombian ore) = USD$ 17.307
1911: 1 Troy Ounce platina (Cartagena: Colombian ore) = USD$ 26.86
1911: 1 Troy Ounce platina (USA: Colombian ore) = USD$ 31.80
1913: 1 Troy Ounce platina (NYC: Colombian ore, intrinsic) ~ USD$ 41.39
1911: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (refined ingot, NY mkt) = USD$ 43.12
Citation: The Jewelers' Circular, Vol. 81, Issue 2 p.89 (9/3/1920)
Citation: Engineering and Mining Journal, Vol. 107, #2, ; American Institute of Mining Engineers (1/11/1919)
Citation: Minerals Yearbook 1911 ; US Geological Survey, (1912) p.1000
Citation: The Mineral Industry, Vol. 21 p.683
Citation: The Jewelers' Circular, Vol. 85, Issue 2 (11/1/1922) p.77
Citation: The Platinum Metals ; Arthur Douglas Lumb (1920) p.55
Citation: Commercial relations of the United States with foreign countries ... ; Dept. of Commerce and Labor p.109
Widely disparate estimation.
Citation: Colombia ; Phanor James Eder p.125
Underestimated by 23%, if Crude Ore.
Citation: Papers by command, Vol. 99 ; House of Commons p.409
Citation: Colombia: Physical Features, Natural Resources, Means of Communication ... V. Lévine (1914)
In 1913, export of Quibdo platina from Cartagena was estimated at 249.55 kgs, nearly as much as the Gold-ore but curiously, with the suspicion the total Chocó export was 'twice as high.' Later totals (1918) would imply the platina export from Buenaventura was ~217 kgs: 466.56 kgs (USD$ 507,000) in 1913. Of the entire Colombian yield, 325.38 kgs or 69.74% of the total was exported to the USA.
The 2.88% difference between Cartagena and New York prices (USD$ 0.97) might account for shipping and insurance costs.
1913: 1 Troy Ounce Gold (Cartagena: Colombian ore) = USD$ 17.55
1913: 1 Troy Oz. platina (Cartagena: Colombian ore) = USD$ 34.29
1913: 1 Troy Oz. platina (NYC: Colombian ore) = USD$ 34.77
1913: 1 Troy Oz. platina (NYC: Colombian ore, intrinsic) ~ USD$ 41.39
Citation: Daily consular and trade reports, Part 2, Issues 76-152 ; Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce (March 16, 1914, # 62)
Citation: Engineering and Mining Journal, Vol. 107, #2, ; American Institute of Mining Engineers (1/11/1919)
Citation: The Jewelers' Circular, Vol. 85, Issue 2 (11/1/1922) p.77
Factoring the telegraph, New York news arrived about ~30 days later.
Cartagena merchants "paid" miners 30% the last month's New York Spot for intrinsic Platinum, additionally deducting for 'impurities' (other PGMs) on which they actually realized additional profit in sales to New York buyers. Assuming 84% purity ore and whereas local Silver Pesos in Chocó were officially rated C$1.38 per Troy Oz., per English Troy Ounce of platina, local miners received:
USD$/C$ 34.77 * 33% = $11.58 * 90% = C$ 10.42
Poorer still for the intrinsic coin-silver value, the equivalent 7.538 Troy Ounces Silver (C$) was theoretically worth just USD$ 0.604 per Oz = USD$ 4.55!
Citation: Colombia: a commercial and industrial handbook ; Purl Lord Bell, United States. Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce (1921) p.109
