This isn't a 'bullion investing' post, it's a request for any early-/mid-19th C. Platinum price-data. Period coin collectors with relevant American ephemera and/or w/ historical research insights might know of unique sources. (Think I've found most everything available on GoogleBooks.) I'm particularly searching for any merchant, dentist, chemist, etc. account books or commodity price-records w/Platinum in Confederate Dollars 1861-1865. And more generally, I'm still looking for any OFFLINE price-data (in private collections, archives, libraries) for Platinum or PGMs before 1867. Thanks! With regards to record PM price-inflation in American currency, this factoid might be of some interest. In 1860, scrap Platinum was sold trade for $ 6. per Troy Ounce (Gold, US money) In 1864/5, refined Platinum was sold trade for ~C$ 3,840. (I'd guess the scrap price for Pt was ~ C$ 1,920.) http://noblemetals.blogspot.com/2011/03/usa-1860-ritchies-catalogue-boston.html http://noblemetals.blogspot.com/2010/08/usa-18656-mit-textbook.html
http://books.google.com/books?id=mOwaAQAAMAAJ&dq=%22platina%20per%22%20%20price&pg=PA2&ci=126%2C55%2C842%2C958&source=bookclip#v=onepage&q=%22platina%20per%22%20%20price&f=false on the one page theres blood.
No that's just a rust stain ; ) fwiw EAL Roberts (NYC) claimed to be "the first" to melt large masses of Platinum with the oxyhydrogen blowpipe. Another lengthy post on him here, w/LOTS of historical insight on the early New York platinum industry: http://noblemetals.blogspot.com/2010/06/usa-1850s-60s-american-platinum.html
