Obtain Terbium (TER) Historical Prices with this API

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving landscape of metal markets, the ability to access historical prices for metals like Terbium (TER) is crucial for developers and analysts alike. With the advent of APIs, particularly the Metals-API, obtaining real-time and historical data has never been easier. This blog post will delve into the capabilities of the Metals-API, focusing on how to retrieve historical prices for Terbium and other metals, while exploring the broader implications of digital transformation in metal markets.

Metals-API Information

About Terbium (TER)

Terbium is a rare earth metal that plays a significant role in various high-tech applications, including electronics, renewable energy, and advanced materials. As industries increasingly rely on data analytics and smart technology integration, the demand for accurate and timely information about metal prices has surged. The Metals-API provides a robust platform for developers to access this data, enabling them to build next-generation applications that can analyze trends, forecast prices, and optimize supply chains.

Digital transformation in metal markets is not just about accessing data; it's about leveraging that data to drive innovation. With the integration of advanced analytics, companies can gain insights into market dynamics, identify opportunities for cost savings, and enhance decision-making processes. The Metals-API stands at the forefront of this transformation, offering a suite of features that empower developers to harness the power of real-time metals data.

API Description

The Metals-API is designed to provide developers with comprehensive access to metals pricing data through a user-friendly interface. It offers a variety of endpoints that cater to different needs, from retrieving the latest rates to accessing historical data dating back to 2019. This API is not only a tool for obtaining data but also a gateway to understanding market trends and making informed decisions.

One of the standout features of the Metals-API is its ability to deliver real-time data. Depending on your subscription plan, the API can return exchange rate data updated every 60 minutes, every 10 minutes, or even more frequently. This level of granularity is essential for applications that require up-to-the-minute information, such as trading platforms or financial analysis tools.

Key Features and Endpoints

The Metals-API offers a variety of endpoints, each designed to serve specific use cases. Here are some of the key features:

• Latest Rates Endpoint: This endpoint provides real-time exchange rates for all available metals. For example, if you query the latest rates, you might receive a response like this:

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1750647761,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-06-23",
    "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: This feature allows you to access historical exchange rates for any date since 1999. By appending a specific date to your query, you can retrieve past rates, which is invaluable for trend analysis and forecasting. A typical response might look like this:

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1750561361,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-06-22",
    "rates": {
        "XAU": 0.000485,
        "XAG": 0.03825,
        "XPT": 0.000915,
        "XPD": 0.000748
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

• Bid and Ask Endpoint: This powerful feature enables you to retrieve real-time bid and ask prices for metals, which is crucial for traders looking to make informed decisions based on market conditions. The response might include:

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1750647761,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-06-23",
    "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"
}

• Convert Endpoint: This endpoint allows you to convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD. For instance, if you want to convert 1000 USD to Gold, the response would be:

{
    "success": true,
    "query": {
        "from": "USD",
        "to": "XAU",
        "amount": 1000
    },
    "info": {
        "timestamp": 1750647761,
        "rate": 0.000482
    },
    "result": 0.482,
    "unit": "troy ounces"
}

• Time-Series Endpoint: This feature allows you to query the API for daily historical rates between two dates of your choice. For example, if you want to analyze the price of Gold over a week, you would receive a response like this:

{
    "success": true,
    "timeseries": true,
    "start_date": "2025-06-16",
    "end_date": "2025-06-23",
    "base": "USD",
    "rates": {
        "2025-06-16": {
            "XAU": 0.000485,
            "XAG": 0.03825,
            "XPT": 0.000915
        },
        "2025-06-18": {
            "XAU": 0.000483,
            "XAG": 0.0382,
            "XPT": 0.000913
        },
        "2025-06-23": {
            "XAU": 0.000482,
            "XAG": 0.03815,
            "XPT": 0.000912
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

• Fluctuation Endpoint: This endpoint provides information about how currencies fluctuate on a day-to-day basis. For instance, if you want to track the fluctuation of Gold prices over a week, you might receive:

{
    "success": true,
    "fluctuation": true,
    "start_date": "2025-06-16",
    "end_date": "2025-06-23",
    "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"
}

• Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint: This endpoint allows you to get the open, high, low, and close prices for a specific time period. For example:

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1750647761,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-06-23",
    "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"
}

• Historical LME Endpoint: This endpoint provides access to historical rates for LME symbols dating back to 2008. This is particularly useful for industries that rely on LME pricing for their operations.

For a complete list of all supported symbols and their specifications, refer to the Metals-API Supported Symbols page.

API Key and Authentication

To access the Metals-API, you need an API key, which is a unique identifier that you pass into the API base URL's access_key parameter. This key is essential for authenticating your requests and ensuring that you have the appropriate permissions to access the data you need.

API Response Structure

The response from the Metals-API is structured in a way that makes it easy to parse and utilize. By default, exchange rates are relative to USD, and all data is returned in JSON format. Each response includes a success flag, a timestamp, the base currency, and the rates for the requested metals.

Common Use Cases and Implementation Strategies

Developers can leverage the Metals-API in various applications, including:

• Financial Analysis Tools: By integrating the historical rates endpoint, analysts can create tools that visualize price trends over time, helping investors make informed decisions.
• Trading Platforms: Real-time data from the latest rates and bid/ask endpoints can be used to build trading platforms that react to market changes instantly.
• Supply Chain Optimization: Companies can use historical data to forecast metal prices, allowing them to optimize their purchasing strategies and manage inventory more effectively.

Performance Optimization and Scaling

When integrating the Metals-API into your applications, it's essential to consider performance optimization strategies. Caching frequently accessed data can reduce the number of API calls, improving response times and reducing costs. Additionally, implementing rate limiting and quota management can help ensure that your application remains within the usage limits set by the API.

Security Considerations

Security is paramount when working with APIs. Ensure that your API key is kept confidential and not exposed in client-side code. Implementing HTTPS for all API requests will encrypt the data in transit, protecting it from potential interception.

Conclusion

The Metals-API is a powerful tool for developers looking to access historical prices and real-time data for metals like Terbium. By leveraging its extensive features, developers can build innovative applications that drive insights and optimize decision-making processes in the metal markets. As industries continue to embrace digital transformation, the importance of accurate and timely data will only grow, making the Metals-API an invaluable resource.

For more information on how to get started, visit the Metals-API Documentation for detailed guidance on implementation and usage. Whether you're building a financial analysis tool, a trading platform, or an inventory management system, the Metals-API provides the data you need to succeed in today's competitive landscape.