Get Gold May 2026 (GCK26) Historical Prices for Backtesting Strategies using this API

Introduction

In the world of trading and investment, understanding the historical prices of precious metals like Gold (XAU) is crucial for backtesting strategies and making informed decisions. The Metals-API provides a robust platform for accessing real-time and historical price data, enabling developers to create innovative applications that leverage this information. This blog post will delve into how to obtain historical prices for Gold (GCK26) using the Metals-API, exploring its features, capabilities, and the transformative potential of real-time metals data.

Metals-API Information

About Gold (XAU)

Gold has long been regarded as a safe haven asset, a hedge against inflation, and a store of value. In recent years, the digital transformation in precious metals trading has opened new avenues for investors and developers alike. The integration of data analytics and market insights has revolutionized how traders approach the market, allowing for more informed decision-making based on historical trends and real-time data.

The advent of technology in trading has also led to innovative solutions for price discovery. With the rise of digital asset solutions, investors can now access a wealth of information at their fingertips. The Metals-API stands at the forefront of this transformation, providing developers with the tools necessary to build next-generation applications that can analyze and interpret metals data effectively.

API Description

The Metals-API is a powerful tool designed to provide developers with access to real-time and historical metals data. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive documentation, the API empowers developers to create applications that can track price movements, analyze trends, and make data-driven decisions. The API supports a wide range of metals, including Gold, Silver, Platinum, and Palladium, making it a versatile solution for various trading strategies.

One of the standout features of the Metals-API is its ability to deliver real-time exchange rates updated at intervals depending on the subscription plan. This ensures that developers have access to the most current data available, which is essential for making timely trading decisions. Additionally, the API offers historical rates dating back to 2019, allowing for extensive backtesting of trading strategies.

For more detailed information, developers can refer to the Metals-API Documentation, which provides comprehensive guidance on how to utilize the API effectively.

Key Features and Endpoints

The Metals-API boasts a variety of endpoints that cater to different needs and use cases. Here are some of the key features:

Latest Rates Endpoint

The Latest Rates Endpoint is a fundamental feature that provides real-time exchange rate data for all available metals. Depending on your subscription plan, this endpoint can return data updated every 60 minutes or every 10 minutes. This feature is particularly useful for traders who need to stay updated on market fluctuations.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1765695617,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-12-14",
"rates": {
"XAU": 0.000482,
"XAG": 0.03815,
"XPT": 0.000912,
"XPD": 0.000744
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Historical Rates Endpoint

The Historical Rates Endpoint allows users to access historical exchange rates for any date since 1999. This feature is invaluable for backtesting trading strategies, as it enables developers to analyze past price movements and trends.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1765609217,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-12-13",
"rates": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825,
"XPT": 0.000915,
"XPD": 0.000748
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Bid And Ask Endpoint

The Bid and Ask Endpoint is a powerful feature that retrieves real-time Bid and Ask prices for metals. This information is crucial for traders looking to execute orders at the best possible prices.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1765695617,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-12-14",
"rates": {
"XAU": {
"bid": 0.000481,
"ask": 0.000483,
"spread": 2.0e-6
},
"XAG": {
"bid": 0.0381,
"ask": 0.0382,
"spread": 0.0001
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Convert Endpoint

The Convert Endpoint allows users to convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD. This feature is particularly useful for traders who need to quickly assess the value of their holdings in different currencies.

{
"success": true,
"query": {
"from": "USD",
"to": "XAU",
"amount": 1000
},
"info": {
"timestamp": 1765695617,
"rate": 0.000482
},
"result": 0.482,
"unit": "troy ounces"
}

Time-Series Endpoint

The Time-Series Endpoint allows users to query the API for daily historical rates between two dates of their choice. This feature is essential for analyzing trends over specific periods, enabling traders to make informed decisions based on historical data.

{
"success": true,
"timeseries": true,
"start_date": "2025-12-07",
"end_date": "2025-12-14",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"2025-12-07": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825
},
"2025-12-14": {
"XAU": 0.000482,
"XAG": 0.03815
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Fluctuation Endpoint

The Fluctuation Endpoint provides information about how currencies fluctuate on a day-to-day basis. This feature is particularly useful for traders looking to understand market volatility and make strategic decisions based on price movements.

{
"success": true,
"fluctuation": true,
"start_date": "2025-12-07",
"end_date": "2025-12-14",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"XAU": {
"start_rate": 0.000485,
"end_rate": 0.000482,
"change": -3.0e-6,
"change_pct": -0.62
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

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

The OHLC Price Endpoint allows users to query the API for the open, high, low, and close prices for a specific time period. This data is essential for technical analysis and helps traders identify trends and potential reversal points.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1765695617,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-12-14",
"rates": {
"XAU": {
"open": 0.000485,
"high": 0.000487,
"low": 0.000481,
"close": 0.000482
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Historical LME Endpoint

The Historical LME Endpoint provides access to historical rates for LME symbols dating back to 2008. This feature is particularly useful for traders interested in the London Metal Exchange prices.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1765609217,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-12-13",
"rates": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

API Key and Response

Your API Key is a unique identifier that is passed into the API base URL's access_key parameter. This key is essential for authenticating requests and ensuring secure access to the API's features. The API response delivers exchange rates relative to USD by default, providing a consistent basis for comparison across different metals.

Available Endpoints

The Metals-API offers a total of 14 endpoints, each designed to provide specific functionalities. Developers can explore these endpoints to find the ones that best suit their needs. For a complete list of supported symbols, refer to the Metals-API Supported Symbols page.

Practical Use Cases and Integration Strategies

Integrating the Metals-API into trading applications can significantly enhance the capabilities of developers. Here are some practical use cases:

• Backtesting Trading Strategies: By utilizing the Historical Rates Endpoint, developers can backtest their trading strategies against historical data, allowing them to refine their approaches based on past performance.
• Real-Time Trading Applications: The Latest Rates Endpoint can be integrated into trading platforms to provide users with real-time price updates, ensuring they can make informed decisions quickly.
• Market Analysis Tools: Developers can create analytical tools that leverage the Time-Series and Fluctuation Endpoints to provide insights into market trends and volatility.

Conclusion

The Metals-API is a powerful resource for developers looking to access real-time and historical prices for precious metals like Gold (XAU). With its comprehensive features and user-friendly interface, the API empowers developers to build innovative applications that can analyze market trends, backtest strategies, and provide valuable insights into the world of precious metals trading. By leveraging the capabilities of the Metals-API, developers can stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving market.

For more information on how to get started with the Metals-API, be sure to check out the Metals-API Documentation and explore the extensive features available to you. Whether you're a seasoned trader or a developer looking to create cutting-edge applications, the Metals-API is your gateway to the world of precious metals data.