Retrieve Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) Historical Prices using this API

In the ever-evolving landscape of global finance, the ability to retrieve historical prices for currencies like the Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) is crucial for developers and analysts alike. With the rise of digital transformation in financial markets, the demand for real-time data and analytics has never been higher. This blog post will delve into the capabilities of the Metals-API, a powerful tool that allows users to access historical prices for various metals and currencies, including the Zambian Kwacha.

About Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)

The Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) is the official currency of Zambia, a country rich in copper and other minerals. As Zambia continues to embrace digital transformation, the integration of technology in metal markets has become increasingly important. The ZMW's value is influenced by various factors, including global metal prices, economic policies, and market demand. Understanding these dynamics is essential for developers looking to create applications that leverage historical price data.

Technological innovation and advancement have paved the way for data analytics and insights that can help businesses make informed decisions. By utilizing APIs like Metals-API, developers can access a wealth of information that can drive smart technology integration into their applications. This not only enhances user experience but also positions businesses to adapt to future trends and possibilities in the financial landscape.

Metals-API Overview

The Metals-API is a comprehensive JSON API that provides real-time and historical data for various metals and currencies. With its robust features, the API empowers developers to build next-generation applications that require accurate and timely data. The API supports a wide range of functionalities, including retrieving the latest rates, historical rates, and even performing currency conversions.

One of the standout features of Metals-API is its ability to deliver real-time exchange rate data. Depending on your subscription plan, the API can return updates every 60 minutes, every 10 minutes, or even more frequently. This level of granularity allows developers to create applications that respond to market changes in real-time, providing users with the most current information available.

Key Features and Endpoints

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

Latest Rates Endpoint

The Latest Rates Endpoint provides real-time exchange rates for all available metals. This endpoint is essential for applications that require up-to-the-minute pricing information. The response includes the base currency, the date of the rates, and the current rates for various metals.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1769213807,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-01-24",
"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

The Historical Rates Endpoint allows users to access historical exchange rates for any date since 1999. This is particularly useful for analysts looking to study trends over time. By appending a specific date to the API request, developers can retrieve historical data that can be used for various analytical purposes.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1769127407,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-01-23",
"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 enables users to retrieve real-time bid and ask prices for metals. This information is crucial for traders who need to make quick decisions based on market conditions.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1769213807,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-01-24",
"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

The Convert Endpoint allows users to convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD. This feature is particularly useful for applications that require currency conversion capabilities.

{
"success": true,
"query": {
"from": "USD",
"to": "XAU",
"amount": 1000
},
"info": {
"timestamp": 1769213807,
"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 invaluable for developers looking to analyze trends over specific periods.

{
"success": true,
"timeseries": true,
"start_date": "2026-01-17",
"end_date": "2026-01-24",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"2026-01-17": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825,
"XPT": 0.000915
},
"2026-01-19": {
"XAU": 0.000483,
"XAG": 0.0382,
"XPT": 0.000913
},
"2026-01-24": {
"XAU": 0.000482,
"XAG": 0.03815,
"XPT": 0.000912
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Fluctuation Endpoint

The Fluctuation Endpoint provides information about how currencies fluctuate on a day-to-day basis. This is particularly useful for traders and analysts who need to monitor market volatility.

{
"success": true,
"fluctuation": true,
"start_date": "2026-01-17",
"end_date": "2026-01-24",
"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

The OHLC Price Endpoint allows users to query the API to get the open, high, low, and close prices for a specific time period. This data is essential for technical analysis and trading strategies.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1769213807,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-01-24",
"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

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

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1769127407,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-01-23",
"rates": {
"XCU": 0.294118,
"XAL": 0.434783
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Authentication and API Key

To access the Metals-API, users must obtain an API key. This unique key is passed into the API base URL's access_key parameter. Proper authentication is essential for ensuring secure access to the API's features. Developers should keep their API keys confidential and implement security best practices to prevent unauthorized access.

Common Use Cases

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

• Building financial dashboards that display real-time and historical metal prices.
• Creating trading applications that utilize bid and ask prices for executing trades.
• Implementing currency conversion features in e-commerce platforms.
• Conducting market analysis and generating reports based on historical data.

Performance Optimization and Scaling

When integrating the Metals-API into applications, developers should consider performance optimization strategies. This includes implementing caching mechanisms to reduce API calls, especially for frequently accessed data. Additionally, understanding rate limits and quota management is crucial for maintaining application performance.

Conclusion

The Metals-API is a powerful tool for developers looking to access historical prices for the Zambian Kwacha and other metals. With its extensive features, including real-time rates, historical data, and conversion capabilities, the API empowers users to build innovative applications that respond to market dynamics. By leveraging the capabilities of the Metals-API, developers can create solutions that not only enhance user experience but also provide valuable insights into the financial landscape.

For more information on how to get started, visit the Metals-API Documentation and explore the Metals-API Supported Symbols page for a complete list of available currencies and metals.