UK, 1846

In 1845, refined & manufactured Platinum retailed 4x higher than refined Silver and 1/6 the Price of Fine Gold. The wholesale ratio Pt & Ag appears the same.

1843: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (semi-mfg, whols.) = £ 1.20 - 1.75 (USD$ 5.76 - 8.38)

1845: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (UK Mkt: 75%) = £ 1.125 (USD$ 5.47)

1845: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (UK Mkt: 75%) = £ 1.125 (USD$ 5.47)


1846: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (StPb: Refined, Mint) = £ 1.1051 - 1.1052
 
1846: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (UK Mkt: Intrinsic) = £ 1.50 (USD$ 7.294)
1846: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (UK Mkt: Intrinsic) = £ 1.60 (USD$ 7.78)

1846: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (UK Semi-Mfg, Whols.) = £ 1.75 (USD$ 8.51)
1846: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (UK Mfg, Whols) = £ 2.10 (USD$ 10.21)
 
1846: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (UK Semi-Mfg, Ret.) ~ £ 1.85 (USD$ 9.)
1846: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (UK Mfg, Ret.) ~ £ 2.35 (USD$ 11.42)

1846: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (Sterling) = £ 0.25
1846: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (pure) = £ 0.28
1846: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (mfg, retail) = £ 0.45


Citation: The British quarterly review, Vol. 4 ; Robert Vaughan (1846) p.91





Refined Platinum was sold 6x higher than Silver ore.




Refined Platinum was sold retail about half the 'common price' of Gold:

Citation: A technological dictionary: explaining the terms of the arts, sciences ...W. M. Buchanan (1846) p.572




1845: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (semi-mfg, Retail) = £ 2.00 (USD$ 9.74)
1845: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (semi-mfg, Retail) = £ 0.50 (USD$ 2.44)
1845: 1 Troy Oz. Gold (semi-mfg, Retail) = £ 12.00 (USD$ 58.32)

Citation: A treatise on optical drawing instruments. Also A method of preserving... Charles Varley (1845) pp. 96,101








Artinsal platino-silver vase, c.1844: exorbitant rate or weight.


Newman's 1845 listed no price for Platinum, but the Platinum blowpipe was 2.78x more expensive than the Silver. It would be a mistake to think these different PM items were the same size or weight. Adjusting for mass/weight (2.05x greater for Pt) Silver = 10.49 grams per cubic centimeter and Platinum = 21.5 grams per cubic centimeter.

Less volatile manufactured Silver prices known, the Silver blowpipe weighed <56 grams (to perhaps an ounce and a half, troy) and the Platinum 'Wollaston's Pocket blowpipe' likely weighed <37 grams (to a troy ounce or so.)

1845: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (mfg, whols) = £ 2.10
1845: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (mfg, 9s. 9d. Stowe's Catalogue price) = £ 0.50

Citation: A treatise on optical drawing instruments. Also A method of preserving, (1845) pp. 96,101

Newman's 1852 & 1856 Catalogues had identical prices for "Platinum Plates"; likewise estimated, ~ 2 troy oz. or less.

1856: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (semi-mfg, whols.) ~ £ 1.60

Assuming Grove's Sheet Battery, ea.: Pt 9.41 Grams/ 145.2 Grains Troy = £ 0.55 (USD$ 2.70), nearly the same price as 1853 elsewhere. 

1852: 

c. 1845/6:

In 1846 Nicholas J. Callan published a paper entitled On a new voltaic battery;  in a Grove's Battery, he replaced a Platinum Foil with a piece of lead (0.15875 cm x 5.08 cm x 7.62 cm = 6.14515 cm³) "the same size." The Platinum Foil at 6.14515 cm³ and a presumed density of 21.37 (21.37 Grams per cm³), the "same size" foil should weigh ~ 131.3218 Grams or 4.22 Ozt. At B.P.G. 18, 2" x 3" Platinum should weigh 4.15 Ozt.

For "nearly £ 3." this amount of Platinum was excessively "cheap" and probably far too thick for typical Battery use. Instead, the foil might be half as thin and weigh 2.11 ozt.

1846: 1Troy Oz. Platinum (Foil, Estimate) ~ £ 1.60

Citation: The Farmer and Mechanic, Vol. 1; Ed. William Holt Starr 10/21/1847 p.507
 

"One square foot" is normally understood to mean 144 square inches (Sq In) : as the double-sided area of a single foil would be 72 sq. in. per side = 8.45" x 8.45", 6" x 12", etc.

Assuming 'Thin Foil', a 12" x 12" Sheet (144 Sq. In.) would weigh 57.60 Grams (1.852 Ozt)

In the correct calculation however, "12 Square Inches" of area (or 6 sq.in. per side) should be a foil 3.464" x 3.464", 2" x 3", etc.


Grove's Battery, 1840s?

Colombia, 1836

1836: Estimated Colombian platina yield ~ 1,479 - 1,774.8 Ozt.
460 Grammes = 1 Libra = 46 Kilograms = 1,479 Ozt.


Choco Gold, according to information provided to me about it by Boussingault, contains an average of 5% Platinum, and as the gold minted at Popayan comes from Choco washings, this results in adding to the amount that is provided there each year, one-fifth the value of that exported by smuggling, we will have, in taking 5%, very roughly approximate the amount of platinum provided by the platina ores of Choco, which can be evaluated at 10 or 12 quintals. Anyway, you can wear at least double platinum supplied by Russia, the quantity produced by different parts of America, that amount will increase with the more general use of this metal, who will find over the care of exploiters.

Colombia, 1845

The Valuation of the precious metals almost certainly factored purity: Platina Price at a Specific Gravity of 22.0, for example.

Assuming estimated total PM yield was consistent (16.0408% platina), the Total Colombian Platina Yield was 1,067.5 Libras (taxed) + 1,067.5 Libras (untaxed) = 2,135 Libras.

1845: Where 1,067.50 Libras (= 15,755.33 Ozt.) x C$40./Libra = C$42,700., so

1845: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (Local Spot: Colombian ore, .999) = C$ 2.71
1845: 1 Ozt. Au (Colombian ore, .999) = C$ 16.09178

Industria.—... Apesar del mal estado del ramo i de la imperfeccion de los trabajos, la produccion ha sido en el último año de 941 libras 3 castellanos 6 tomines de oro i de 1,067.50 libras de platina, que al precio actual de 237 pesos 4 reales el oro, i de 40 pesos la platina, hacen la cantidad de 266.195 pesos 1 reales. Agregándose la estraccion clandestina del oro, cuyo minimum se calcula prudencialmente en el diplo de la cantidad espresada, i la de la platina, para la que no es forzoso ni jeneral sacar guia; puede asegurarse que realmente hai una produccion anual de 532.390 pesos 2.5 reales. Con el objeto de fomentar la mineria indica el Gobernadora la Cámara la conveniencia de que solicite de la Lejislatura algunas esenciones, como la de la conscripcion para el ejèrcito a todos los individuos que se dediquen a esta profesion, i la de con los empresilures se concierten precisamente El comercio con el estranjero ha aeca … siderablemente por la preferencia que se ha dado al transito por Panamá para las introducciones al Cauca por el puerto de Buenaventura; pero el Gobernador abriga la esperanza de que, abierto el camino de Tamanà i compuesto el del Istmo de San Pablo hasta la boca de la quebrada de Rapadura, vuelva el comercio al pie floreciente que àntes tenia.

Despite the poor state of the branch and the imperfection of the works, the production has been in the last year of 941.0375 Libras of Gold, and 1,067.50 Libras of platina, that at the current gold price of C$237.50/Libra, and of C$40/Libra for platina, amounts to C$ 266,195.125. Adding the clandestine extraction of gold, whose minimum is calculated prudentially in the amount of the expressed quantity, and that of the platina, for which it is not necessary nor general to draw a guide; you can make sure that there really is an annual production of C$532,390.3125. In order to promote mining the Governor indicates the convenience of requesting from the Legislature some exemptions, such as the conscription for the army to all the individuals who dedicate themselves to this profession, and that of the entrepreneurs Precisely Trade with the foreigner has taken place ... considerably due to the preference that has been given to transit through Panama for introductions to Cauca through the port of Buenaventura; but the Governor hopes that, open the path of Tamanà and composed that of the Isthmus of San Pablo until the mouth of the ravine of Rapadura, return the trade to the flowering foot that before had.


Citation: Gaceta oficial, (1/25/1846) Issue 778 Trm. 58:




1845/6: Where 744.55 Libras (= 10,988.88 Ozt.) x C$ 50./Libra = C$37,227.50, so

1845/6: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (Black Mkt Export: Colombian ore, .999) ~ C$ 3.39
1845/6: 1 Ozt. Au (Colombian ore, .999) = C$ 16.092

Industria y comercio—La industria progresa; {July 1845-June 1846} ... Se han fundido en las respectivas oficinas 1,032 libras 58 castellanos 5 tomines de oro, que valen, segun lo calcula el Gobernador, 245,239 pesos, 1.75 reales, calculando tambien que alcanza á doble cantidad el extraido furtivamente para el extranjero, de manera que se hn sacado del pais, por contrabando, mui cerca de medio millon de pesos en oro, indemas el valor de 744 libras 55 castellanos de platina, que se estima en cincuenta pesos cada libra.

The industry progresses; ... They have melted in the respective offices 1,032.58125 Libras of gold, that are worth, according to calculates the Governor, C$ 245,239.21875, calculating also that it reaches to double quantity the extracted furtively for the foreigner, so that have been taken out of the country, for contraband, very close to half a million pesos in gold, indems the value of 744.55 Libras of platina, estimated at C$ 50./ per Libra.

Citation: Gaceta oficial, (11/6/1846) Issue 830 Trm. 62, p.43:

8/31/1846: 1 Ozt. Pt (Tariff Export Price: Colombian ore, .999) = C$ 4.04



The value of Gold coin exported from Colombia in 1845 was at least 45x greater than platina.  In coin, the value of Gold was 20.91x greater than Platinum (Pt was ~4.78% Au export in 1845) and the value of Fine Au to to Pt was 1:3.99.

Where C$ 136 = 1 Marco coined = 7.395 Ozt, C$ 1,245,391 = 50,416 Ozt Fine Gold in coin, exported.  Where  540.5 Libras = 7,994 Ozt, C$ 27,633.65 = 5,996 Ozt Fine Platinum.

In Silver, the 1845 price of 1 Libra Colombian platina was C$ 55.312 (USD$ )

1845: 1 Troy Ounce Gold (Fine, -16%) = C$ 15.45
1845: 1 Troy Ounce Gold (Coin) = C$ 18.391
1845: 1 Troy Oz Gold (Coin @ .999) = C$ 24.70
1845: 1 Troy Oz. platina (ore, 75%) = C$ 3.457 
1845: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (Colombian ore, .999) = C$ 4.61

 





Insurance on Shipping platina from Colombia was 1.125%

c.1840? : Italian Bonolli exported a large quantity to Europe, depresses price

Citation: The Republic of Colombia: An Account of the Country, Etc...  Francis Loraine Petre (1906)

Colombia, 1843

DSQ


https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt/search?q1=platina;id=mdp.35112103696581;view=2up;seq=1;start=1;sz=10;page=search;orient=0


Where 424.98 Libras =7,765 Ozt @ C$ 18,264.8125

1843: 1 Troy Oz. platina (ore, 75%) = C$ 2.3524
1843: 1 Troy Oz. Pt (Colombian ore, .999) = C$ 3.1365

1843: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (semi-mfg, whols.)  = £ 1.20 - 1.75 (USD$ 5.76 - 8.38)
 

 

UK (Australia), 1921

At times, the price of osmiridium is very high. In 1921, £42 10s. an ounce was being paid for it on the Tasmanian fields. The London price is said to have once touched the surprising figure of £85 an ounce.

February 1921: "The buyers of Tasmania's production of osmiridium are not quoting, and although recent sales were made on the basis of £34 per oz. for average metal, it is expected that the price will be serious reduced."

January(?) 1921: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Tasmania) = £ 42.50
February(?) 1921: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Tasmania) = £ 34.
  
August, 1921: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Tasmania) = £ 18.

August, 1921:

UK (Australia), 1919: Tasmanian Osmiridium

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

UK (Australia), 1918: Osmiridium

DSQ 

January?, 1917: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Tasmania) = £ 11.
December?, 1917: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Tasmania) = £ 18.50
Best, 1917: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Tasmania) = £ 22.50

January, 1918: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Tasmania) = £ 14.75 
February, 1918: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Tasmania) = £ 14.75
March, 1918: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Tasmania) = £ 14.75
April, 1918: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Tasmania) = £ 14.75
May, 1918: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Tasmania) = £ 14.75
June, 1918: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Tasmania) = £ 14.75
July, 1918: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Tasmania) = £ 14.75
August, 1918: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Tasmania) = £ 33.
September, 1918: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Tasmania) = £ 33.
Late October, 1918: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Tasmania) = £ 37.375
November, 1918: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Tasmania) = £ 15.
December, 1918: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Tasmania) = £ 14.
January, 1918: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Tasmania) = £ 7.90
January, 1918: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Tasmania) = £ 7.90
January, 1918: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Tasmania) = £ 7.90
January, 1918: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Tasmania) = £ 7.90

 
1918: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Local High) = £ 14. - 15.
1918: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Mkt or avg?) = £ 27.90
1918: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Local High) = £ 37.25

1918: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Mkt) = £ 40.
1919?: 1 Troy Oz. Osmiridium (Local High) = £ 33.


"Platinum in 1918"

"The average price paid for crude osmiridium in the Tasmanian markets during 1918 was £20 7s. ($98.90) an ounce, the highest point, £37 7s. 6d. ($181.62) an ounce, being reached just before the armistice was signed, but after that time the price broke to £15 ($72.90) an ounce."