Platinum (Pt)
ISO currency code: XPT
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| 1 ounce Platinum US Eagle |
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| 1 ounce Platinum IOM Noble |
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Platinum is the Rarest and Most Valuable, Standard Bullion Metal*
Platinum, Periodic Element # 78, was discovered in the 1600's. Like Silver it has both numismatic usage as a Precious Metal and it is an invaluable industrial commodity. One in every five consumer products either contains Platinum or is produced using Platinum. Platinum is used in automobile catalytic converters to reduce pollution and is used to detoxify emissions from factories, bakeries and dry cleaners. Platinum has a multitude of technology uses, and is integral in the manufacture of fiber optic wires, semiconductors, computer disks and proton-exchange membrane fuel cells. New industrial uses for Platinum are being constantly discovered while supply is extremely restricted. Remarkable difficulties exist in its mining and production, with between 5 and 6 million ounces of new Platinum reaching the world market each year, less than 5% of gold production. Estimates of all of the Platinum ever mined would fill a room measuring less than twenty-five feet on each side. Mining and refining the metal is an intricate process of extraction. It takes 10 tons of raw ore and six months of refining to produce one ounce of pure Platinum.
Platinum’s supply/demand fundamentals are very tight. It is estimated that if Platinum mining were to stop today, above ground reserves would last about one year. In contrast, Gold reserves would last about 25 years.
Platinum is the only precious metal to have anti-cancer properties. The chemotherapeutic agents Cisplatin, Carboplatin and Oxaliplatin are used today in the medical industry.
Platinum has historically been the most concentrated form of wealth available in standard bullion. Labeled “the most precious precious metal”, Platinum today is valued at about $1,700. / ounce. One million dollars of Platinum bars and coins will easily fit into an airplane carry on. This makes investment in Platinum a real consideration if you are looking for a highly mobile form of concentrated wealth.
As the price of Gold has recently surpassed the price of Platinum due the fiscal, monetary and political turmoil in the world, Dr. Platinum believes that this is a seldom seen opportunity to aquire this extremely rare Precious Metal at a discount to the price of Gold.
*Standard bullion metal refers to Platinum, Palladium, Gold and Silver. These metals are traded on the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange), are globally accepted monetary units and have very liquid markets.
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Platinum/Silver price ratio
For many years the Platinum/Silver ratio = about 100.
In March, 2011 the Platinum/Silver ratio = about 50.
As Platinum is extremely rare and hence expensive, an affordable way to own Platinum is 1/10 (.1) ounce coins (see picture to right).
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| .1 ounce Platinum US Eagle |
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