Germany, 1829: Russia's Platinum Coinage Discussed

The Southern German and Austrian 10-Cruetzer weighed 3.89 grams (.583 Fine) and was 24 mm in diameter.  Combining Specific Gravities for Ag & Cu, 1 cc of Creutzer alloy should weigh 9.84 g.  Where 1 cc (Russian-refined, 1828) Platinum weighed 20.7 g, the imagined 2-Gulden(Fl.) piece ought to weigh ~9.3 g by this Summer 1829 estimation (excluding minting cost.)  In fact, the Platinum 3-Rouble weighed 10.35 g.

1829: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Hypothetical Coined Rate) ~ Fl 6.91
1829: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (Frankfurt market) = Fl 3.2262

1829:
As shown previously in Article X, the consideration of coining Platinum may come too soon.  It is not improbable that the Russian Platinum ducats will also go to Western Europe, but at first they will, like historic medallions, be eagerly bought.  For the time being it is not to be expected that platinum coins would be minted in Germany, as long as that Russian coin is good and of constant quality, and not be made more expensive than the raw metal by the minting costs.  Otherwise, there is a recommendation in the hardness as well as in the higher price; a 2 Gulden coin would, in platinum, not be bigger than a half Kopfstück**
 
1829:


1829: Presumably, a used Platinum battery was selling at a similar rate to the 1825 unit.

(Commissions -. Sale) (which was on June 21, 1826 confer a privilege to eight years) from the known platinum ignition of machinery mechanic Joseph Boschl in Wurzburg, is a parcel of tin-sale commission exists, and the prices of ("11 fl "and" 6 fl ") the right of dahi. - Also, incandescent - lamp to "1 fl 45 kr." and platinum sponge to "15 kr." the pieces are, namely, the maker exists.

Citation:Intelligenz-Blatt und wöchentlicher Anzeiger der königlich baierischen Stadt ... Augsburg (1829) p.457

Unknown:
 

In the 1850s, where Platinum cost $10./ozt and a Platinum Sponge $0.25, there were 40 pieces per ozt, hence 0.7776 g per piece.

March, 1829: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Sponge, semi-mfg) ~ Fl 10. (£ 1.05)
March, 1829: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Sponge, mfg) ~ Fl 15.20 (£ 1.60)
c.1850s USA


The Eagle was 247.5 fine grains of Gold; the Dollar 371.25 fine grains of Silver. At the stated values in Thaler, the intrinsic rate in English Troy Ounces is evident:

1828: 1 Troy Ounce Gold (US coin, in Gold Thaler) = Thl 26.23
1828: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (US coin, Silver coin rate) = Thl 1.86
1828: 1 Troy Oz. Silver =  Thlr 1.97

1828: 1 Troy Oz. Silver =  C.M. Thlr 1.77

1828: 1 Troy Oz. Silver =  C.M. Fl 

1828: 1 Troy Oz. Silver =  Rh Fl  

1828:  1 Troy Ounce Platinum (intrinsic rate, Frankfurt est.) ~ Thl 9.

At the apparent Cologne Marc weight (8 Unzen) for Gold, Silver and Platina, the Unze (= 29.2213 grammes  = 0.9395 English Troy Ounce)

The Platinum Rouble Rate, c. 1829:
c. Late 1828: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Silver Rouble Rate) = Thlr 10.27

Citation: Vollständiges handbuch der münzen, masse und gewicht aller länder der erde. ; Johann Friedrich Krüger ...By Johann Ludwig Klüber (1828) pp.

Where 1 Silver Rouble was 278.1 grains fine Silver the estimations for Rouble & Thaler follow

1 Troy Oz. Silver =  руб 1.73 (Silver Rouble Rate)

1 Troy Oz. Silver =  Thlr 1.97 (Silver Rouble Rate)

1 Troy Oz. Silver =  C.M. Thlr 1.76 (Silver Rouble Rate) 

1 Troy Oz. Silver =  C.M. Fl 2.66 (Silver Rouble Rate) 

1 Troy Oz. Silver =  Rh Fl 3.19 (Silver Rouble Rate) 

Citation: Jahrbücher der Geschichte und Staatskunst [afterw.] Jahrbücher der ... Ed. Karl Heinrich L. Pölitz (1830) p.36

UK, 1834: Griffin's Catalogue, Hawkin's Pens (Iridium Tips)

DSQ 

1834: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (London mkt) = £0.96 = 21.9166 руб.

1835: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (UK: mfg, retail) = £ 1.70 (USD$ 8.25)

1835: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (UK: refined, whols.-retail) = £ 1.60 (USD$ 7.76)

1835: 1 Troy Oz. platina (ore, retail) = £ 0.90 (USD$ 4.37)
 1835: 1 Troy Oz. platina (ore, whols.) = £ 0.55 (USD$ 2.50)
 
1834:
Citation: Chemical recreations: a compendium of experimental chemistry ; John Joseph Griffin (7th Ed., 1834)


 


 At the 1833 Silver Rate, 

Apparently current textbook (1834), citing a 'Platinum ducat of 10 Roubles' worth £ 2.25; 
1 руб Ag = £ 0.2250 and 3 руб Ag = £ 0.6750 or 

1833: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Russian Coin) = 8.99 руб Ag = £ 2.02 (USD$ 9.71)

This is problematic, for the Silver Rouble was only rated $ 0.75, or ~USD$ 6.74/Ozt.
  Citation: A manual of mineralogy: comprehending the more recent discoveries... Robert Allan (1834) p.247
 

John Isaac Hawkins used native osmium/iridium alloy (40-50% osmium, 30-40% iridium, with some ruthenium & platinum) soldered to tips of gold nibs. He also developed the high-speed grinding and polishing process for this very hard alloy, necessary to shape the tip profile.

In 1834, Hawkins' Iridosmine tipped nibs first sold in London for £ 1.05 (USD$ 4.34) and that price was apparently stable until ~1845.  At this time, Johnson had an effective monopoly on all PGMs. Presumably, less than one Ounce Troy afforded ~36 pen nibs.

1834: 1 Ozt. Iridosmine (Select Ore) = £ 1.50 (USD$ 6.30)
 
In the early stage of the business, namely in March, 1834, Mr. Hawkins says, "I procured the native alloy of Iridium from Mr. Johnson of Hatton Garden, London,who allowed me to select from his small stock of a few ounces such particles as suited my purpose, at thirty shillings an ounce. Mr. Johnson continued to supply me at that price till July, 1835, when I had picked out all that would suit, and he said that he did not expect any more for some time. I had then only enough to make three dozen Pens, and knew not where to procure more. I, therefore, went to the British Association for the Advancement of Science, which met at Dublin on the 10th of August, 1835, to inquire of the great Chemists of the time, expected to be there assembled, where I could be supplied with the precious material. On asking Dr. Dalton of Manchester, Dr. Thomas of Glasgow, [sic; Dr. Thomson correctly], Dr. Daubeny of Oxford, and many other eminent Chemists, present at the meeting,where I could procure the substance, each, without communicating with any of the others, answered that I could obtain it of Mr. Johnson, Hatton Garden, London." (63)

 


As recorded in 1850:



Franklin Peale visited Europe in 1834-5; these pens were exhibited at the Franklin Institute in 1837 were ~5 years old, after "four years constant use." 

Thirty years prior to early 1876 was c.1849; at that time, the manufactured Iridium pen nib fell -75%.  Although different catalogue retailers prices varied from 1834-1847, the retail Iridium price apparently fell ~ -80.9%.

In this period, the price of Platinum also collapsed.

1834:  1 Ozt. Iridium (pure, semi-mfg, mkt) = Fr 488. (£ 19.18)
1847:  1 Ozt. Iridium (pure, semi-mfg, mkt) = Fr 93.30 (£  3.656)

The entire pen cost USD$ 1. in 1906, just abit more more than 5s.




Counterfeit Francs  

Described in French dictionary of counterfeiting (1835)

An uncirculated Fr 40 should contain 0.3714 Ozt Fine Au (not 0.3734 Ozt) 


Citation: L'art de l'essayeur; Laurent Jean Chaudet (1835)p.287

Russia: Rouble Value 1816-1830

1812-18:



1816:



1816-18:

1817:


c.1817:


c.1817:


1818:

1818:

c.1818, in Pence Sterling


1818:



1818?


1817/8?

1817-19: Export of Gold & Silver depleted Russia



1819:

1819:




c.1819?:

c.1820






1820: US estimations on 4 bourse, averaged:




1820:


1820:



Rouble in fine Silver:

1820:


1820:


1805, 1817 & 1821:


1822:

1822/3: 9.5-10.5 Pence







1822-4:



1822-4: Gold in Paper (?)Roubles


1822-4?


c.1824:


1824:

1825:

c.1826 ?:

c.1827?

Odessa:

1827:

1827?

c.1827:

1828:

1828:

1829:

c.1828/9:

1829:

c. 1830:

c. 1830/1:

c.1830:

1830/1:

,,,