How to Use an API

How to Use an API: Exploring Historical Prices with Metals-API

In the world of finance and trading, having access to real-time data is crucial for making informed decisions. One of the most innovative tools available for developers is the Metals-API. This powerful API provides comprehensive access to historical prices and real-time data for various metals, including Gold (XAU), Silver (XAG), Platinum (XPT), and Palladium (XPD). In this blog post, we will delve into the capabilities of the Metals-API, focusing on how to retrieve historical prices and utilize its various endpoints effectively.

Metals-API Information

API Description

The Metals-API is designed to empower developers with real-time and historical data on metal prices. With its robust architecture, the API allows for seamless integration into applications, enabling users to access vital information that can drive decision-making processes. The API's capabilities extend beyond mere data retrieval; it offers innovative features that can transform how businesses operate in the metals market. By leveraging real-time metals data, developers can build next-generation applications that provide insights into market trends, pricing fluctuations, and investment opportunities.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the Metals-API Documentation, which outlines all available features and endpoints.

Key Features and Endpoints

The Metals-API offers a variety of endpoints, each designed to serve specific needs within the realm of metals trading and analysis. Below, we explore some of the key features and their potential applications:

• Latest Rates Endpoint: Depending on your subscription plan, this endpoint provides real-time exchange rate data updated every 60 minutes, every 10 minutes, or even more frequently. This feature is essential for traders who need to stay updated on the latest market conditions.
• Historical Rates Endpoint: Access historical rates for most currencies dating back to 2019. By appending a specific date to the API request, users can retrieve historical pricing data, which is invaluable for trend analysis and forecasting.
• Bid and Ask Endpoint: This powerful feature allows users to retrieve real-time bid and ask prices for various metals. Understanding the bid-ask spread is crucial for traders looking to optimize their buying and selling strategies.
• Convert Endpoint: The Metals-API includes a currency conversion endpoint, enabling users to convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD. This feature simplifies transactions and helps users understand the value of their assets in different currencies.
• Time-Series Endpoint: Users can query the API for daily historical rates between two chosen dates. This endpoint is particularly useful for analyzing price movements over specific periods.
• Fluctuation Endpoint: This endpoint provides information about how metal prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis, allowing traders to track market volatility and make informed decisions.
• Carat Endpoint: Retrieve information about Gold rates by Carat. This feature is particularly useful for jewelers and investors in the jewelry market.
• Lowest/Highest Price Endpoint: Query the API to get the lowest and highest prices for a specified date, helping users identify market extremes.
• Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint: This endpoint provides the open, high, low, and close prices for a specific date, which is essential for technical analysis.
• Historical LME Endpoint: Access historical rates for LME symbols dating back to 2008, providing a wealth of data for analysis.
• API Key: Your unique API key is required to access the API's features. This key must be included in the API base URL's access_key parameter.
• API Response: The Metals-API delivers exchange rates relative to USD by default, ensuring consistency in data interpretation.
• Available Endpoints: The API comprises 14 endpoints, each providing distinct functionalities tailored to various user needs.
• Supported Symbols Endpoint: This constantly updated endpoint returns all available currencies, ensuring users have access to the latest data.
• News Endpoint: Retrieve the latest news articles related to various metals, keeping users informed about market developments.

List of Symbols

The Metals-API provides access to a comprehensive range of metal symbols. For a complete list of all supported symbols and their specifications, refer to the Metals-API Supported Symbols page.

API Endpoint Examples and Responses

Understanding how to interact with the Metals-API is crucial for effective implementation. Below are examples of various endpoints and their corresponding JSON responses:

Latest Rates Endpoint

Get real-time exchange rates for all available metals:

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1769732209,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-01-30",
"rates": {
"XAU": 0.000482,
"XAG": 0.03815,
"XPT": 0.000912,
"XPD": 0.000744,
"XCU": 0.294118,
"XAL": 0.434783,
"XNI": 0.142857,
"XZN": 0.344828
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Historical Rates Endpoint

Access historical exchange rates for any date since 1999:

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1769645809,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-01-29",
"rates": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825,
"XPT": 0.000915,
"XPD": 0.000748
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Time-series Endpoint

Get exchange rates for a specific time period:

{
"success": true,
"timeseries": true,
"start_date": "2026-01-23",
"end_date": "2026-01-30",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"2026-01-23": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825,
"XPT": 0.000915
},
"2026-01-25": {
"XAU": 0.000483,
"XAG": 0.0382,
"XPT": 0.000913
},
"2026-01-30": {
"XAU": 0.000482,
"XAG": 0.03815,
"XPT": 0.000912
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Convert Endpoint

Convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD:

{
"success": true,
"query": {
"from": "USD",
"to": "XAU",
"amount": 1000
},
"info": {
"timestamp": 1769732209,
"rate": 0.000482
},
"result": 0.482,
"unit": "troy ounces"
}

Fluctuation Endpoint

Track rate fluctuations between two dates:

{
"success": true,
"fluctuation": true,
"start_date": "2026-01-23",
"end_date": "2026-01-30",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"XAU": {
"start_rate": 0.000485,
"end_rate": 0.000482,
"change": -3.0e-6,
"change_pct": -0.62
},
"XAG": {
"start_rate": 0.03825,
"end_rate": 0.03815,
"change": -0.0001,
"change_pct": -0.26
},
"XPT": {
"start_rate": 0.000915,
"end_rate": 0.000912,
"change": -3.0e-6,
"change_pct": -0.33
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

OHLC (Open/High/Low/Close) Endpoint

Get OHLC data for a specific time period:

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1769732209,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-01-30",
"rates": {
"XAU": {
"open": 0.000485,
"high": 0.000487,
"low": 0.000481,
"close": 0.000482
},
"XAG": {
"open": 0.03825,
"high": 0.0383,
"low": 0.0381,
"close": 0.03815
},
"XPT": {
"open": 0.000915,
"high": 0.000918,
"low": 0.00091,
"close": 0.000912
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Bid/Ask Endpoint

Get current bid and ask prices for metals:

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1769732209,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-01-30",
"rates": {
"XAU": {
"bid": 0.000481,
"ask": 0.000483,
"spread": 2.0e-6
},
"XAG": {
"bid": 0.0381,
"ask": 0.0382,
"spread": 0.0001
},
"XPT": {
"bid": 0.000911,
"ask": 0.000913,
"spread": 2.0e-6
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Conclusion

The Metals-API is a powerful tool for developers looking to integrate real-time and historical metals data into their applications. With its extensive range of endpoints, including the ability to retrieve historical prices, track fluctuations, and convert between different metals and currencies, the API provides a comprehensive solution for financial analysis and trading. By leveraging the capabilities of the Metals-API, developers can create innovative applications that enhance decision-making processes in the metals market.

For further exploration of the API's features, refer to the Metals-API Documentation and the Metals-API Supported Symbols page. By understanding the full potential of this API, developers can harness the power of real-time data to drive their applications forward.