Get All-Time Lithium Oct 2025 (LMV25) Historical Prices using this API

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of financial markets, the demand for accurate and timely data is paramount. This is particularly true in the metals market, where fluctuations in prices can significantly impact investment strategies. One of the most sought-after metals is gold, represented by the symbol XAU. With the advent of APIs like the Metals-API, developers can now access historical prices and real-time data for gold and other metals with ease. This blog post will explore how to retrieve historical prices for gold using the Metals-API, delving into its features, capabilities, and practical applications.

Understanding Gold and Its Market Dynamics

Gold has long been considered a safe haven asset, especially during times of economic uncertainty. Its value is influenced by various factors, including inflation rates, currency fluctuations, and geopolitical events. As a result, having access to historical price data is crucial for traders and investors looking to make informed decisions. The Metals-API provides a robust platform for accessing this data, enabling developers to build applications that can analyze trends, forecast future prices, and optimize trading strategies.

The Role of APIs in Financial Data Access

APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) play a vital role in modern software development, particularly in the financial sector. They allow developers to integrate external data sources into their applications seamlessly. The Metals-API is designed specifically for metals pricing and currency conversion, offering a wide range of endpoints that cater to various needs. By leveraging this API, developers can create applications that provide real-time insights, historical analysis, and predictive modeling.

Getting Started with Metals-API

To begin using the Metals-API, developers need to sign up for an account and obtain an API key. This key is essential for authenticating requests and ensuring secure access to the API's features. The API supports various endpoints, each designed to fulfill specific data retrieval needs. Below, we will explore some of the key features of the Metals-API, focusing on how to retrieve historical prices for gold.

Key Features of Metals-API

The Metals-API offers a comprehensive suite of features that empower developers to access and manipulate metals data effectively. Here are some of the most notable features:

• Latest Rates Endpoint: This endpoint provides real-time exchange rate data for metals, updated every 60 minutes, 10 minutes, or even more frequently, depending on the subscription plan.
• Historical Rates Endpoint: Developers can access historical rates for gold and other metals dating back to 2019. By appending a specific date to the endpoint, users can retrieve past prices for analysis.
• Time-Series Endpoint: This feature allows users to query daily historical rates between two dates, making it easier to analyze trends over time.
• Convert Endpoint: The API includes a currency conversion feature, enabling users to convert amounts between different metals or to/from USD.
• Fluctuation Endpoint: This endpoint provides insights into how metal prices fluctuate over specific periods, helping traders understand market volatility.
• Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint: Users can retrieve detailed OHLC data for specific time periods, which is crucial for technical analysis.

Retrieving Historical Prices for Gold

To retrieve historical prices for gold using the Metals-API, developers can utilize the Historical Rates Endpoint. This endpoint allows users to specify a date and receive the corresponding price data for gold (XAU). The response includes essential fields such as the base currency, date, and the rate for gold.

Example of Historical Rates Endpoint

When making a request to the Historical Rates Endpoint, the API responds with a JSON object that contains the historical price data. Below is an example of a successful response:

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1779927629,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-05-28",
"rates": {
"XAU": 0.000485
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

In this response:

• success: Indicates whether the request was successful.
• timestamp: The time at which the data was retrieved.
• base: The base currency for the exchange rate, which is USD in this case.
• date: The specific date for which the historical price is provided.
• rates: An object containing the price of gold (XAU) for the specified date.
• unit: The unit of measurement for the price, typically per troy ounce.

Using the Time-Series Endpoint for Trend Analysis

For developers interested in analyzing trends over a specific period, the Time-Series Endpoint is invaluable. This endpoint allows users to retrieve daily historical rates for gold between two specified dates. The response includes a series of dates and their corresponding rates, enabling comprehensive trend analysis.

Here’s an example of a response from the Time-Series Endpoint:

{
"success": true,
"timeseries": true,
"start_date": "2026-05-22",
"end_date": "2026-05-29",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"2026-05-22": {
"XAU": 0.000485
},
"2026-05-24": {
"XAU": 0.000483
},
"2026-05-29": {
"XAU": 0.000482
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

This response provides a detailed view of how gold prices have changed over the specified period, allowing developers to create visualizations or perform statistical analyses.

Advanced Features and Use Cases

Beyond retrieving historical prices, the Metals-API offers several advanced features that can enhance the functionality of applications built around metals data. Here are some notable use cases:

Bid and Ask Prices

The Bid and Ask Endpoint provides real-time bid and ask prices for gold and other metals. This feature is particularly useful for traders who need to make quick decisions based on current market conditions. The response includes the current bid and ask prices, along with the spread, which is the difference between the two.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1780014029,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-05-29",
"rates": {
"XAU": {
"bid": 0.000481,
"ask": 0.000483,
"spread": 2.0e-6
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Fluctuation Tracking

Using the Fluctuation Endpoint, developers can track how gold prices fluctuate between two dates. This feature is essential for understanding market volatility and making informed trading decisions. The response includes the start and end rates, along with the percentage change.

{
"success": true,
"fluctuation": true,
"start_date": "2026-05-22",
"end_date": "2026-05-29",
"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) Data

The OHLC Endpoint provides crucial data for technical analysis, allowing developers to retrieve the open, high, low, and close prices for gold over a specified period. This data is essential for traders who rely on charting techniques to make decisions.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1780014029,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-05-29",
"rates": {
"XAU": {
"open": 0.000485,
"high": 0.000487,
"low": 0.000481,
"close": 0.000482
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Best Practices for Using Metals-API

When integrating the Metals-API into applications, developers should consider several best practices to ensure optimal performance and security:

Authentication and Security

Always use your API key securely by not exposing it in client-side code. Implement server-side requests to keep your key confidential. Additionally, consider using HTTPS for all API requests to encrypt data in transit.

Rate Limiting and Quota Management

Be aware of the rate limits associated with your subscription plan. Implement caching strategies to minimize unnecessary API calls and optimize performance. This can help reduce costs and improve response times.

Error Handling and Recovery

Implement robust error handling to manage potential issues such as network failures or API downtime. Use appropriate retry mechanisms and fallback strategies to ensure your application remains functional even in adverse conditions.

Conclusion

The Metals-API is a powerful tool for developers looking to access historical prices and real-time data for gold and other metals. By leveraging its various endpoints, developers can create applications that provide valuable insights into market trends, optimize trading strategies, and enhance decision-making processes. Whether you are retrieving historical rates, tracking fluctuations, or analyzing OHLC data, the Metals-API offers the flexibility and functionality needed to succeed in the dynamic metals market.

For more information on how to get started, refer to the Metals-API Documentation and explore the Metals-API Supported Symbols for a comprehensive list of available metals. With the right tools and data at your disposal, you can navigate the complexities of the metals market with confidence.