Collect Copper - LME 3-month (XCU3M) Historical Prices using this API

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of metal markets, the demand for accurate and real-time data has never been more critical. For developers and businesses looking to collect historical prices of copper, specifically the LME 3-month (XCU3M) prices, the Metals-API offers a powerful solution. This blog post will delve into the intricacies of copper as a commodity, the transformative potential of the Metals-API, and how to effectively utilize its features to access historical pricing data.

About Copper (XCU)

Copper, represented by the symbol XCU, is one of the most widely used metals in various industries, including construction, electronics, and renewable energy. Its excellent conductivity and malleability make it an essential component in electrical wiring and plumbing. As the world moves towards digital transformation, the metal markets are also undergoing significant changes. Technological innovations, such as data analytics and smart technology integration, are reshaping how traders and businesses interact with metal prices.

With the rise of data analytics, stakeholders can gain insights into market trends, price fluctuations, and demand forecasts. This data-driven approach enables businesses to make informed decisions, optimize their supply chains, and enhance their competitive edge. The future of copper trading will likely see even more advancements, including the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning to predict market movements and automate trading processes.

Metals-API Overview

The Metals-API is a robust platform designed to provide real-time and historical data for various metals, including copper. It empowers developers to build next-generation applications that require accurate and timely metal pricing information. The API offers a range of endpoints, each catering to different data needs, from retrieving the latest rates to accessing historical prices dating back to 2008.

One of the standout features of the Metals-API is its ability to deliver real-time data updates, which is crucial for traders who need to react quickly to market changes. The API's architecture is designed for scalability, ensuring that it can handle high volumes of requests without compromising performance. This makes it an ideal choice for businesses looking to integrate metal pricing data into their applications.

Key Features of Metals-API

The Metals-API provides several key features that enhance its usability and functionality:

Latest Rates Endpoint

The Latest Rates Endpoint allows users to retrieve real-time exchange rate data for various metals, including copper. Depending on your subscription plan, the API can return updates every 60 minutes or even every 10 minutes. This feature is particularly useful for traders who need to stay informed about current market conditions.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1750651263,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-06-23",
    "rates": {
        "XCU": 0.294118
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Historical Rates Endpoint

Accessing historical rates is essential for analyzing market trends over time. The Historical Rates Endpoint allows users to query historical prices for copper and other metals dating back to 2019. By appending a specific date to the API request, developers can obtain valuable insights into price movements.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1750564863,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-06-22",
    "rates": {
        "XCU": 0.290000
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Bid and Ask Endpoint

The Bid and Ask Endpoint is a powerful feature that provides real-time bid and ask prices for metals. This information is crucial for traders looking to execute buy or sell orders at optimal prices. The bid price represents the maximum price that a buyer is willing to pay, while the ask price is the minimum price a seller is willing to accept.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1750651263,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-06-23",
    "rates": {
        "XCU": {
            "bid": 0.293000,
            "ask": 0.295000,
            "spread": 0.002000
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Convert Endpoint

The Convert Endpoint allows users to convert amounts between different metals or to/from USD. This feature is particularly useful for businesses that deal with multiple currencies and need to calculate equivalent values quickly.

{
    "success": true,
    "query": {
        "from": "USD",
        "to": "XCU",
        "amount": 1000
    },
    "info": {
        "timestamp": 1750651263,
        "rate": 0.294118
    },
    "result": 294.118,
    "unit": "troy ounces"
}

Time-Series Endpoint

The Time-Series Endpoint enables users to query daily historical rates between two specified dates. This feature is invaluable for conducting in-depth analyses of price trends over time.

{
    "success": true,
    "timeseries": true,
    "start_date": "2025-06-16",
    "end_date": "2025-06-23",
    "base": "USD",
    "rates": {
        "2025-06-16": {
            "XCU": 0.290000
        },
        "2025-06-23": {
            "XCU": 0.294118
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Fluctuation Endpoint

The Fluctuation Endpoint provides insights into how metal prices fluctuate over a specified period. This feature is essential for understanding market volatility and making informed trading decisions.

{
    "success": true,
    "fluctuation": true,
    "start_date": "2025-06-16",
    "end_date": "2025-06-23",
    "base": "USD",
    "rates": {
        "XCU": {
            "start_rate": 0.290000,
            "end_rate": 0.294118,
            "change": 0.004118,
            "change_pct": 1.42
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint

The OHLC Price Endpoint allows users to retrieve open, high, low, and close prices for a specific time period. This data is crucial for traders who analyze price movements and trends to make informed decisions.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1750651263,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-06-23",
    "rates": {
        "XCU": {
            "open": 0.290000,
            "high": 0.295000,
            "low": 0.289000,
            "close": 0.294118
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Lowest/Highest Price Endpoint

The Lowest/Highest Price Endpoint allows users to query the API for the lowest and highest prices of copper over a specified date range. This feature is particularly useful for identifying price extremes and market trends.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1750651263,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-06-23",
    "rates": {
        "XCU": {
            "lowest": 0.289000,
            "highest": 0.295000
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Historical LME Endpoint

The Historical LME Endpoint provides access to historical rates for LME symbols, including copper, dating back to 2008. This endpoint is invaluable for businesses and analysts looking to study long-term trends in copper pricing.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1750564863,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-06-22",
    "rates": {
        "XCU": 0.290000
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

API Key and Response

To access the Metals-API, users must obtain an API key, which is passed into the API base URL's access_key parameter. This key is essential for authentication and authorization purposes. The API response is delivered in JSON format, with exchange rates typically relative to USD. Each response includes a success status, timestamp, base currency, and the relevant rates.

Practical Use Cases and Integration Strategies

Integrating the Metals-API into your applications can unlock numerous possibilities. Here are some practical use cases:

Market Analysis Tools

Developers can create market analysis tools that utilize the historical rates and time-series endpoints to provide users with insights into price trends. By visualizing this data, businesses can make informed decisions regarding their metal purchases and sales.

Trading Platforms

For trading platforms, real-time data from the Latest Rates and Bid/Ask endpoints can be integrated to provide users with up-to-the-minute pricing information. This capability is essential for traders who need to act quickly in volatile markets.

Financial Reporting

Companies can leverage the historical data from the Metals-API to generate financial reports that reflect the performance of their metal investments over time. This data can be crucial for stakeholders looking to assess the company's financial health.

Risk Management Solutions

Risk management solutions can utilize the fluctuation and OHLC endpoints to analyze price volatility and develop strategies to mitigate risks associated with metal trading.

Conclusion

The Metals-API is a powerful tool for developers and businesses looking to access historical prices of copper and other metals. With its comprehensive set of features, including real-time data, historical rates, and advanced analytics capabilities, the API empowers users to make informed decisions in the dynamic metal markets. As the industry continues to evolve, leveraging innovative technologies like the Metals-API will be essential for staying competitive.

For more information on how to get started, visit the Metals-API Documentation and explore the Metals-API Supported Symbols for a complete list of available metal symbols. By integrating the Metals-API into your applications, you can unlock the full potential of real-time metals data and drive your business forward.