Platinum Spot Price Today

Platinum Spot Price and the Price of Platinum per Ounce

The tools and platinum price charts on this page are designed to allow you to determine the platinum price at a glance. You can find 24-hour price trends, as well as an interactive price chart that will allow you to view platinum prices in the past. You can also learn more about the many different options available for investing in platinum, from coins to bars.

We strive to ensure that you are always able to answer the question of how much is platinum worth, and how much is platinum per ounce today? These are crucial considerations for any investor interested in diversifying their portfolio with precious metals in order to safeguard it against market fluctuations, further fiat currency devaluations, and other wealth-related threats.

From the price of platinum today, live platinum spot prices, to platinum price history, here we help you have critical platinum price information needed to make smart platinum bullion buying and selling choices.

Why are investors buying Platinum Bullion products?

The following short video covers current supply-demand investment factors for platinum.

100% FREE guide on platinum bullion buying ➩ Bullion Buying eBook

Understanding the Platinum Spot Price

Like the price of gold and the price of silver, the price of platinum is priced in troy ounces. However, this is not the standard ounce to which most of us are accustomed. Platinum is sold by the troy ounce (slightly lighter than the standard ounce). The platinum spot price is simply the price of one troy ounce of platinum at that particular time. With that being said, you will not pay this price of platinum if you are buying the metal.

Many different factors affect platinum prices. These range from supply and demand, to geopolitical concerns, the worldwide economy itself and even the value of major currencies. Platinum is also an industrial metal – it’s used in many different capacities, even in the automotive segment, where it’s valuable in the manufacturing of catalytic converters.

Each factor will push the platinum price up or pull it down, and savvy investors learn to look at historical platinum prices in order to learn how to predict trends. This knowledge informs their buying and selling, allowing them to create a hedge that protects their wealth during economic downturns.

All the platinum bullion products offered on the SD Bullion website are based on the platinum spot price. This price can change quickly, even by the minute. We have built our system to update automatically, so you may notice prices changing while browsing our investment options. This is done to ensure that you always have access to the most accurate and up to date pricing information.

[ Q1 2019 - updated quarterly ] 

Table of Contents

What does Platinum Price History look like?

Since the start of the full fiat currency era (Nixon Shock 1971), the price of platinum has dipped below $100 oz USD to prices of over $2,000 oz USD.

Platinum saw a major drop in its price at the starting stages of the 2008 Financial Crisis. Since that time platinum bullion products have become an attractive “value investment”.

What is the Platinum Record Price High?

The record price of platinum happened on March 4, 2008, in US dollar prices per troy ounce. On that day, the platinum hit a record high price of $2,276.00 oz USD in the AM London Fix. That same morning the US dollar price of platinum was more than 2Xs the fixed price of gold ($981.75 oz USD), more than 4Xs the fixed price of palladium ($588.00 oz USD), and over 100Xs that day’s silver fix price ($20.32 oz USD).

Platinum’s current day to day 'price discovery' is currently mostly dominated on the NYMEX headquartered in New York city.

What Is Platinum?

Due to its high melt value, platinum is something of a newcomer to the precious metals scene.

It is dense, hard and white, and it is actually a byproduct of nickel and copper mining. For a very long time, it was actually discarded because it was too hard to work with. Today, platinum is an invaluable metal used for any number of different purposes. It is used to help reduce pollution in automobile exhaust, in aerospace applications, in jewelry, and more.

[ Q1 2019 - updated quarterly ] 

Is Platinum a Good Investment?

When most people think of investing in precious metals, gold bullion and silver bullion usually come to mind first. These are the more “traditional” metals. Platinum, on the other hand, is relatively new to the scene. With that being said, the increasing uptick in platinum price has caught the interest of many investors who want to add this white metal to their portfolio. As such, it works very well, providing a blanket of protection for wealth.

When you begin considering the price of platinum per ounce, you will quickly find there are several options for purchasing this metal and adding it to your portfolio. There are platinum coins and bars of physical metal. There are even some coins minted by governments that carry legal tender status. Of course, there are paper forms of platinum investment. ETFs are good examples of these.

Our recommendation is that anyone tracking platinum worth should consider owning the physical metal platinum bullion outright. ETFs can work for some investors, but because you don’t actually hold the metal yourself, it is not quite the same thing. ETFs also trade differently and their value can be affected by additional market factors.

How has Platinum performed vs Gold, Palladium, and Silver?

The following char illustrates the four most popular precious metal (PM) price performances since the dropping of the last vestiges of the Bretton Woods agreement with the August 15, 1971 Nixon Shock.

[ Q1 2019 - updated quarterly ]  

Platinum Spot Price FAQs

Those new to the world of precious metals investing often have many questions about the platinum spot price, platinum worth, and how much is platinum per ounce on any given day. Below, we have provided answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.

What is the platinum spot price?

The platinum spot price is simply the cost of one troy ounce of platinum at that specific moment in time. Spot prices change quickly, and you may find that the price of platinum can rise or drop within minutes. We ensure that our platinum prices are always accurate and updated constantly.

What currency is platinum traded in?

Like gold and silver, as well as many other investment vehicles, platinum trades in US dollars. This is true across the world. However, most platinum bullion dealers will convert the price of platinum from US dollars into the fiat currency of the nation in question.

Is the platinum price the same around the world?

Yes, the price of platinum per ounce is the same in all countries. The primary difference will be that the price in US dollars will be converted into the fiat currency of the country in question. This will affect how much is an ounce of platinum based on how well that fiat currency is performing against the US dollar. For instance, if the national currency in question is valued higher than the dollar, then the price would appear to be less for an ounce of platinum in that respective nation.

[ 2019 Q1 - Updated Quarterly ]

Platinum vs FIAT CURRENCY KEY

Platinum vs USD = Platinum vs US dollars, Platinum vs dollar
Platinum vs ARS = Platinum vs Argentine pesos
Platinum vs AUD = Platinum vs Australian dollars
Platinum vs BRL = Platinum vs Brazilian real
Platinum vs CAD = Platinum vs Canadian dollars
Platinum vs CHF = Platinum vs Swiss francs
Platinum vs CNY = Platinum vs Chinese yuan, Platinum vs yuan, Platinum vs renminbi
Platinum vs EUR = Platinum vs euros
Platinum vs GBP = Platinum vs pound sterling, Platinum vs British pounds
Platinum vs IDR = Platinum vs Indonesian rupiah, Platinum vs rupiah
Platinum vs INR = Platinum vs Indian rupee, Platinum vs Rupee
Platinum vs KRW = Platinum vs South Korean won, Platinum vs won,
Platinum vs JPY = Platinum vs Japanese yen, Platinum vs yen,
Platinum vs MZN = Platinum vs Mozambican metical, Platinum vs metical
Platinum vs NZD = Platinum vs New Zealand dollars, Platinum vs NZ dollars
Platinum vs RUB = Platinum vs Russian ruble, Platinum vs rubles
Platinum vs TRY = Platinum vs Turkish lira, Platinum vs lira,
Platinum vs ZAR = Platinum vs South African rand, Platinum vs rand

Why has the market for platinum grown so much?

The primary driver for growth in the platinum market is demand. This white metal is in high demand by industry, as well as by institutional investors and private investors alike. A larger market ensures that you have access to answers about how much is platinum worth at all hours of the day or night, ensuring that you can make investment decisions when you need to, rather than waiting for markets to open the next day and possibly missing a lower price because of that.

How often is the platinum price changed?

The platinum price changes constantly, sometimes by the minute depending on economic activity and other market forces. The precious metals market operates 24 hours per day, with a 45-minute break between 5:00 PM EST and 6 PM EST. During that period, the price of platinum will not change. It is worth noting that platinum prices can be somewhat volatile. Therefore, savvy investors must have access to the most up to date information. At SD Bullion, we ensure that you always have pricing that is updated every 10-15 seconds.

What factors will affect how much platinum per ounce is worth?

Platinum can be affected by a very wide range of factors, very similar to how gold and silver are affected. However, because platinum is also an industrial metal, it has additional factors that may contribute to fluctuations in how much platinum cost. Some of the most common factors include mining and production shortages or overages, processing challenges, geopolitical instability, stock market performance, the value of the US dollar and other major world currencies, interest rates and many others.

Will I pay the platinum spot price for an order?

No, the spot price is only an indicator of the value of one troy ounce of platinum on the "market." It does not represent the retail price of platinum products. Processing platinum into coins, rounds or bars costs money. Dealers generally pay a premium over the spot price and then add a small premium when reselling to investors. It is this premium that allows dealers to make a profit and stay in business. So, if you’re wondering how much is platinum an ounce when purchasing products, you’ll need to know the platinum spot price, but also the premium applied by the dealer you are purchasing from.

What is the 'ask price'?

If you study charts to answer the question of how much does platinum cost, you’ll come across several possible unfamiliar terms. One of those is the “ask price”.

Essentially, this is the price that the bullion dealer uses when selling platinum to the retail public. Their ask price is the price which they offer their platinum bullion inventory for sale at.

What is the 'bid price'?

Another important consideration in the quest to learn how much does platinum cost is the bid price. This is the side of the platinum spot price that the bullion dealer will consider when purchasing platinum bullion back from the retail public.

This 'bid price' is the price that the bullion dealer uses when buying platinum bullion from the retail public. Their bid price is the price which they buy platinum bullion inventory from customers at.

What is the dealer spread?

The “spread”, or “dealer spread”, is the difference in how much platinum is per ounce between the bid price and the ask price. The spread can be a great measure of how liquid and competitive the market or specific bullion product is.

The lower the spread (the closer the bid and ask prices are in relation to one another), the easier it is for buyers to 'break even' in fiat currency terms in rising precious metal price markets. The wider the bid-ask spread is, the less competitive the market and or particular bullion or precious metal product may be.

Is Platinum a better investment than Gold?

While both gold and platinum are precious metals, their supply-demand factors and prices do not function in the same way.

Gold is primarily a financial tool and adornment precious metal, although it does have a growing yet still reasonably limited industrial demand.

Platinum, on the other hand, is highly utilized in many different manufacturing processes and industrial sectors. This makes the price of platinum subject to frequent price movements. It should also be noted that platinum prices seem more closely tied to the performance of the stock market than gold prices are.

Ideally, an investor would buy both gold and platinum because the two metals work very differently, although both will provide a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation, as well as other economic distress.

The following chart illustrates the long term platinum price performance vs gold in US dollars.

Note in the following chart how currently the price of gold is higher than platinum  ( yellow line 1 oz Au > grey line 1 oz Pl ).

Yet this has historically not always been the case. There have been long spans of time where the price of platinum has been higher than that of gold. See for yourself over the last near 140-year timeframe.

[ Q1 2019 - updated quarterly ]  

Platinum vs Gold?

While both gold and platinum are both considered precious metals, their supply-demand factors and thus their prices do not function in the same way. Visit our 21st Century bullion guide for more about platinum investment fundamentals versus other precious metals (e.g. gold, silver, palladium).

Investors could buy both gold and platinum because the two respective precious metals offer different strengths and weaknesses. But both will provide a wealth preservation hedge against rampant price inflation and currency devaluation, as well as possible protection against other economic, distresses ahead.

The following chart illustrates the long term platinum price performance vs gold in fiat US dollars. Throughout this full fiat currency era, the fiat price of platinum has never been cheaper versus gold. If you think this won't last, perhaps buying platinum bullion for the long term is a smart choice. 

Note how the Platinum Gold Ratio ( Pl / Au Ratio - the blue line ) has swung recently above +1.5 oz Platinum for 1 oz Gold. This has not happened since late 1982, in the precious metal bear market that followed the last major bullion bull market in 1980.

[ Q1 2019 - updated quarterly ]  

Additional Questions and Answers about Platinum

What’s better – buying platinum bullion or platinum coins?

You have plenty of choices when it comes to investing when platinum prices are low and it’s an ideal time to buy in. You can choose platinum bullion bars, platinum coins, or paper assets.

Bullion is the generic name given to platinum rounds, bars, and government-issued coins made with .999 fine platinum. Platinum bullion bars and platinum rounds are not considered legal tender and require less processing than platinum coins. So the retail price of platinum bullion bars and platinum rounds is typically closer to the platinum spot price.

Actual platinum coins issued by government mints are also available. These usually have legal tender face values, but they require more processing at the mint, so their cost or price premium is often higher than mere platinum bullion bars or rounds.

Finally, you have non-safe haven paper trading synthetic options like ETFs. These do not allow you to actually store your own precious metals and are less popular than bullion and coins. They also charge annual compounding fees pilfering away your capital over time.

Bullion and coins are very different, and it’s about more than the additional premium attached to coins. Actual minted coins also carry numismatic value, which can be affected by things that collectors prize, such as rarity, condition, minting errors and the like. This is sentiment, and it is not something that can be counted on in the same way you can count on the market price for an ounce of platinum. Numismatic value varies by collector demand and region.

For those interested in pure platinum investment to safeguard their wealth, platinum bullion rounds and coins are the better options. For those who love the artwork on coins, and enjoy the chase and hunt involved with tracking down rarities, platinum coins can be worthwhile additions to a bullion long-term savings portfolio.

How do I invest in platinum to protect my retirement?

The best way to safely invest in any precious metal is to pay attention to the current spot price, as well as historical prices and economic trends. When you study the platinum price in the past, you’ll notice peaks and troughs. Peaks are times of the highest value, while troughs are times when the price of platinum drops. With time and a little study, you can begin predicting trends and making your own forecasts, which will allow you to buy when platinum is low, and sell later when the price rises. It is important to note that like any other form of precious metals investing, buying platinum is a long-term strategy.

I’m new to the world of investing in platinum – what products should I consider?

Tracking the platinum price allows you to invest in many different products. However, new investors are often best served by putting their money into platinum bullion.

Platinum bars are available in one-ounce sizes, as well as gram sizes. With that being said, make sure you are tracking what is platinum worth based on the size in which you want to invest. Tracking the performance of a gram of platinum will do you little good if you intend to buy an ounce, as the price will be significantly higher since an ounce is much larger than a gram.

In terms of bullion, platinum investors may also consider platinum coins. 

The Platinum American Eagle Coin mint by the US Mint and the Platinum Canadian Maple Leaf Coins minted at the Royal Canadian Mint are two examples of recently minted platinum coins that combine the price of platinum per ounce with numismatic value.

However, as mentioned elsewhere, collectible coins may not be the best path forward if you value only the precious metal content of the bullion product you want to buy and hold, and are not interested in collectability.

Will I lose money if I buy above the Platinum spot price from a Platinum bullion dealer?

There is always a risk with any sort of investment, including precious metals. With that being said, it is crucial that you go into buying platinum with the right mindset.

If you buy above the platinum spot price from a bullion dealer and attempt to immediately turn around and sell that platinum, chances are good that you will lose money.

However, if you hold your platinum until the spot price appreciates above the platinum bullion for which you paid for, you should be able to sell it at a fiat currency yielded a profit if you ever choose to do so.

Precious metals investing is a long-term investment strategy. It is not like buying and selling stocks, where you can often lose big or make a small profit with a same-day trade.

Should I buy platinum bullion in larger quantities?

Your available capital and risk tolerance will be the two largest drivers of your investment actions. With that being said, there is a lot to be gained by buying platinum in larger quantities. For instance, how much is platinum per ounce at the time you’ll be buying? Is there a product that incorporates a higher weight of platinum, for which the per ounce price is lower? Manufacturers charge lower premiums for larger single quantities – a one-ounce bar for instance. You will ultimately save a significant amount of money per ounce of platinum by buying larger products. However, that may or may not work in your situation. It all depends on the amount of capital you have to invest at the time.

Is the platinum price affected by mining?

Yes, it is. Some very good examples can be seen today, with strife in the South African mining industry contributing to a shortage of supply, which has, in turn, increased the platinum price per ounce. When mines under produce, whether due to strikes or limited amounts of metal being found, and demand does not abate, the price of platinum rises. However, when mines overproduce, and the amount of metal on the market outstrips demand, then you’ll see the price of platinum fall. There is also the potential for mines to tailor their production to improve the price of platinum.

Questions and Answers about Paper Platinum Investments

Platinum can be purchased in bars, rounds, and coins, which allow you to hold and store the physical metal. However, you can also use the platinum price to make a decision to invest in paper assets if you prefer. Our recommendation is always to hold the physical metal.

What are platinum futures contracts and are they worth my time?

A futures contract allows you to bid and pay for a specific amount of bullion and to take delivery of it at some later time. These are common financial tools used in all commodities trading. However, there are problems here that might make you leery of investing in futures. For instance, you must pay for your platinum well before it is delivered. Delivery could be in a few weeks, or even months down the road. The platinum price will definitely have changed by then, and it is possible that you will have bet incorrectly and the price will have dropped, meaning that you’re losing money on the deal.

Another consideration here is that futures contracts are generally made for 50 troy ounces. That is a very sizable investment amount and might be out of reach for most retail investors. It is usually a better option to learn more about the platinum price at a particular time, track the price movements and then buy bullion or coins. A single ounce bar or round is far less expensive than the amount involved in a futures contract.

It is also important to understand that most futures contracts today are never delivered on. They’re settled for cash, or closed out before they expire. In fact, futures have become a short-term investment tool that does very little to help you hedge your wealth against future devaluation. There is the possibility that you might take delivery of your physical platinum, but then you’re left with other problems. You’ll incur additional fees in this instance, and you must have a way to safeguard at least 50 ounces of platinum.

Is platinum too volatile for me to invest in?

Only you know your risk tolerance and platinum prices can change by the minute or even by the second depending on the forces at work. With that being said, it does appear that overall there is a long-term uptrend in platinum prices, and if you are able to take the long view, rather than attempting to buy and sell quickly, the precious metals market is no more volatile than the stock market, and it provides the means to hedge your wealth from devaluation in a way that other investments cannot.

Can I buy physical platinum here?

Yes, here at SD Bullion we are proud to offer a wide range of platinum bullion products, including the most popular platinum bars and platinum coins on the market today.

Here we also provide industry-leading access to updated information about the current price, as well as long term charts and tools where you can track changes in the price of platinum vs how the metal has performed historically.

Thank you for visiting us here at SD Bullion.

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