How to Access Tin - LME 3-month (TIN3M) Historical Prices via API

Introduction

Accessing historical prices for Tin (LME 3-month, symbol: TIN3M) has become increasingly vital for traders, analysts, and developers in the metals market. With the rise of digital transformation in metal markets, the need for real-time data and historical insights is paramount. This blog post will explore how to access Tin historical prices via the Metals-API, a powerful tool that provides comprehensive data analytics and insights into metal prices, including Tin.

About Tin (XSN)

Tin, represented by the symbol XSN, is a crucial metal in various industries, including electronics, construction, and manufacturing. As the world moves towards technological innovation and advancement, the demand for Tin continues to grow. The integration of smart technology in metal markets has transformed how traders and developers interact with data, allowing for more informed decision-making.

Data analytics plays a significant role in understanding market trends and price fluctuations. By leveraging advanced analytics, stakeholders can gain insights into Tin's market dynamics, including supply and demand factors, geopolitical influences, and economic indicators. The future of Tin pricing will likely be shaped by these technological advancements, making it essential for developers to access accurate and timely data.

Metals-API Overview

The Metals-API is a robust API that provides real-time and historical data for various metals, including Tin. It empowers developers to build next-generation applications that require up-to-date information on metal prices. The API offers a range of endpoints, each designed to cater to specific data needs, from retrieving the latest rates to accessing historical data.

One of the key features of the Metals-API is its ability to deliver data in a user-friendly JSON format, making it easy for developers to integrate into their applications. The API supports a wide array of functionalities, including currency conversion, fluctuation tracking, and historical data retrieval, all of which are essential for comprehensive market analysis.

Key Features and Endpoints

The Metals-API offers several endpoints that can be utilized to access Tin historical prices and other relevant data. Here are some of the most important features:

Latest Rates Endpoint

The Latest Rates Endpoint provides real-time exchange rate data for Tin and other metals. Depending on your subscription plan, the API can return updates every 60 minutes or even more frequently. This feature is crucial for traders who need to make quick decisions based on the latest market conditions.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1767140212,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-12-31",
"rates": {
"XSN": 0.000482
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Historical Rates Endpoint

For those looking to analyze past performance, the Historical Rates Endpoint allows users to access historical rates for Tin dating back to 2019. By appending a specific date to the API request, developers can retrieve valuable data that can inform their trading strategies.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1767053812,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-12-30",
"rates": {
"XSN": 0.000485
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Time-Series Endpoint

The Time-Series Endpoint is particularly useful for analyzing trends over a specific period. By querying the API for daily historical rates between two dates, developers can visualize price movements and identify patterns that may influence future pricing.

{
"success": true,
"timeseries": true,
"start_date": "2025-12-24",
"end_date": "2025-12-31",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"2025-12-24": {
"XSN": 0.000485
},
"2025-12-31": {
"XSN": 0.000482
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Convert Endpoint

The Convert Endpoint enables users to convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD. This feature is particularly beneficial for traders who deal with multiple metals and need to quickly assess their value in different currencies.

{
"success": true,
"query": {
"from": "USD",
"to": "XSN",
"amount": 1000
},
"info": {
"timestamp": 1767140212,
"rate": 0.000482
},
"result": 0.482,
"unit": "troy ounces"
}

Fluctuation Endpoint

The Fluctuation Endpoint allows users to track rate fluctuations between two dates. This feature is essential for understanding how Tin prices change over time and can help traders make informed decisions based on historical volatility.

{
"success": true,
"fluctuation": true,
"start_date": "2025-12-24",
"end_date": "2025-12-31",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"XSN": {
"start_rate": 0.000485,
"end_rate": 0.000482,
"change": -0.000003,
"change_pct": -0.62
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

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

The OHLC Price Endpoint provides detailed price data for a specific time period, including the opening, highest, lowest, and closing prices. This information is invaluable for traders looking to analyze market trends and make predictions based on historical data.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1767140212,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-12-31",
"rates": {
"XSN": {
"open": 0.000485,
"high": 0.000487,
"low": 0.000481,
"close": 0.000482
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Bid/Ask Endpoint

The Bid/Ask Endpoint provides current bid and ask prices for Tin, allowing traders to understand the market's current buying and selling conditions. This feature is essential for executing trades at optimal prices.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1767140212,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-12-31",
"rates": {
"XSN": {
"bid": 0.000481,
"ask": 0.000483,
"spread": 0.000002
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Authentication and API Key

To access the Metals-API, users must obtain an API key, which is a unique identifier 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. Developers should keep their API keys confidential and avoid exposing them in public repositories.

Performance Considerations

When utilizing the Metals-API, developers should be aware of rate limiting and quota management. Each subscription plan comes with specific limits on the number of requests that can be made within a given time frame. It is crucial to optimize API calls to stay within these limits while still obtaining the necessary data.

Additionally, caching frequently accessed data can significantly improve application performance. By storing responses from the API, developers can reduce the number of requests made and enhance the user experience.

Common Pitfalls and Troubleshooting

While working with the Metals-API, developers may encounter common issues such as invalid API keys, incorrect endpoint usage, or exceeding rate limits. To troubleshoot these problems, it is essential to refer to the Metals-API Documentation, which provides detailed guidance on error handling and recovery strategies.

Conclusion

Accessing historical prices for Tin (LME 3-month, TIN3M) through the Metals-API offers a wealth of opportunities for traders and developers alike. By leveraging the API's extensive features, including real-time rates, historical data, and advanced analytics, users can gain valuable insights into market trends and make informed decisions. As the metal markets continue to evolve with technological advancements, the importance of reliable data sources like the Metals-API cannot be overstated. For further exploration of supported symbols, visit the Metals-API Supported Symbols page, and start integrating real-time metals data into your applications today.