a trivia moment “historically” silver was worth more than gold. see
gold prices 500 years. Spanish conquistadors threw away platinum
cause it got in the way of there gold mining. (platinum is fairly
unattractive looking still)
zev
a trivia moment "historically" silver was worth more than gold.
The Conquistadors didn’t value platinum like the people of south
America did.
The Aztec Kings was praising the Gods, because the Spanish didn’t
value platinum. However the Spanish soon got wise.
Regards Charles A.
And which of the seven platinum group elements are we talking about
as their prices vary greatly.
Can anyone confirm that aluminum was once worth more than gold?
That the Romans threw diamonds away because they could not be worked?
Hi Peter,
Can anyone confirm that aluminum was once worth more than gold? That the Romans threw diamonds away because they could not be worked?
I’ve seen that claim about aluminium before, but haven’t found any
supporting documentation.
Some other interesting facts about aluminium, the Romans knew about
it, Napoleon had swords made out of the pure “new” metal (totally
useless btw), and this is a fun one :-
Why is it Aluminium everywhere else in the world and Aluminum only
in America? The story goes that after the electrochemical refining
process was simultaneously developed a billboard advertising
aluminium was erected between Canada and America… however there was
a spelling mistake, and the last “i” was missing… apparently it
stuck.
The Roman’s, Chinese and Greeks used them as engraving tools. Only
from about the 14th Century did they become valuable when people had
learned how to cut them.
Regards Charles A.
P.S. Trivia is always welcome in my house 
Can anyone confirm that aluminum was once worth more than gold?
Yes, before the processing was worked out and it was a laboratory
only material. The aluminum cap on the Empire State Building was
very, very expensive at a time when some of the processing was
worked out.
Dan Culver
I just googled “aluminum more expensive than gold” and came up with
numerous links. Here’s just one:
http://acswebcontent.acs.org/landmarks/landmarks/al/revolution.html
And which of the seven platinum group elements are we talking about as their prices vary greatly.
Here’s one answer: First, check the periodic table of the elements
and you will note that there are only 6 platinum group elements:
osmium, iridium, and platinum, plus their three lighter cousins,
ruthenium, rhodium, and palladium. Prices are quoted in detail and
analyzed at many sites on the Internet, with most trading done in
platinum, palladium, and rhodium. Search for Kitco, for one example.
(Recent buzz mostly concerns Platinum and Palladium.)
I hope this answers your question.
Dick Davies
Can anyone confirm that aluminum was once worth more than gold?
I saw an antique ring, French from 1800s, that was aluminum with a
gold trim rivited on the front. How would you like to size that?
Stephen Walker
I understand the increase in gold prices because of the economy; and
investors seeking safer investments. But what is driving the price
of silver which is increasing at a greater rate than the gold.
Ernie
Hi Ernie,
I understand the increase in gold prices because of the economy; and investors seeking safer investments. But what is driving the price of silver which is increasing at a greater rate than the gold.
There was a rumor that the world’s free silver was practically mined
out, dont know how true that was, and am baffled as to how they
could say it.
Regards Charles A.
Why is it Aluminium everywhere else in the world and Aluminum only in America? The story goes that after the electrochemical refining process was simultaneously developed a billboard advertising aluminium was erected between Canada and America... however there was a spelling mistake, and the last "i" was missing... apparently it stuck.
This story did not match the story I was told in my materials class
I took on the way to my engineering degree - the story I was told was
a spelling mistake in the “cable” sent from England to the US. I
thought I’d Google the subject and I came up with a boring story that
is hopefully more than a story:
BTW the article does mention that aluminum was worth more then gold:
“Emperor Napoleon III had some aluminium cutlery made for state
banquets, but it still cost much more than gold.”
No mention of the story from my materials class that the first use
of aluminum was for Napoleon’s baby’s rattle.
Jon Daniels
The Ring Lord Chainmail
There was a rumor that the world's free silver was practically mined out, dont know how true that was, and am baffled as to how they could say it.
This 2007 article about “Why the Silver Price is Set to Soar” is a
fascinating read about silver prices -
It cited a 2007 CBS Marketwatch prediction by Kevin Kerr, “Due to
current supply/demand trends, the amount of silver above ground is
projected to shrink to a critically low level in 2010. As supply
shrinks, prices will keep rising steadily to new highs. Many in the
investment world are unaware of this part of silver’s story.
Industrial demand has been outstripping mining supply for the past
15 years, driving above ground supply to historically low levels.”
It reminds me of the situation with oil. We aren’t quite running out
yet. But all the easily available sources are not keeping up with
demand so now we have to find oil in difficult places.
I’ve actually started to use aluminum and stainless steel as
alternatives.
Pearl
Hi Peal,
I've actually started to use aluminum and stainless steel as alternatives.
I worked too long in the Aluminium industry, so I barely want to
touch it
Stainless in nice, a lot different to work than precious metals.
Regards Charles A.