Obtain Steel Billet China Spot (STB-CH) Historical Prices with this API

Metals-API 5 min read
Obtain Steel Billet China Spot (STB-CH) Historical Prices with this API

Introduction

In the realm of metals trading, obtaining accurate historical prices is crucial for informed decision-making. One of the most sought-after metals is Gold, represented by the symbol XAU. With the advent of advanced APIs like Metals-API, developers can easily access historical prices and other valuable data related to Gold and other metals. This blog post will delve into how to obtain historical prices for Gold (XAU) using the Metals-API, exploring its features, capabilities, and practical applications.

Understanding Metals-API

The Metals-API is a powerful tool designed for developers and businesses looking to integrate real-time and historical metals data into their applications. This API provides a comprehensive suite of endpoints that allow users to access various types of data, including current rates, historical prices, and conversion functionalities. The API is built with a focus on innovation and technological advancement, making it an essential resource for anyone involved in the metals market.

About Gold (XAU)

Gold, denoted as XAU, is one of the most valuable and widely traded metals in the world. Its price is influenced by various factors, including market demand, geopolitical stability, and economic indicators. Understanding the historical price trends of Gold can provide insights into market behavior and help investors make informed decisions. The Metals-API allows users to access historical prices for Gold dating back to 2019, enabling comprehensive analysis and forecasting.

Key Features of Metals-API

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

Latest Rates Endpoint

The Latest Rates endpoint provides real-time exchange rate data for all available metals, including Gold. Depending on your subscription plan, this endpoint can return updated rates every 60 minutes or even more frequently. This feature is essential for applications that require up-to-the-minute pricing information.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1780186462,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-05-31",
"rates": {
"XAU": 0.000482,
"XAG": 0.03815,
"XPT": 0.000912,
"XPD": 0.000744
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Historical Rates Endpoint

Accessing historical rates is vital for trend analysis. The Historical Rates endpoint allows users to query historical prices for Gold and other metals by appending a specific date to the API request. This feature is particularly useful for analysts and traders who need to review past performance and make predictions based on historical data.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1780100062,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-05-30",
"rates": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825,
"XPT": 0.000915,
"XPD": 0.000748
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Time-Series Endpoint

The Time-Series endpoint allows users to retrieve daily historical rates for a specified period. This feature is invaluable for conducting in-depth analyses over time, enabling developers to visualize trends and fluctuations in Gold prices.

{
"success": true,
"timeseries": true,
"start_date": "2026-05-24",
"end_date": "2026-05-31",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"2026-05-24": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825,
"XPT": 0.000915
},
"2026-05-26": {
"XAU": 0.000483,
"XAG": 0.0382,
"XPT": 0.000913
},
"2026-05-31": {
"XAU": 0.000482,
"XAG": 0.03815,
"XPT": 0.000912
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Convert Endpoint

The Convert endpoint allows users to convert amounts from one metal to another or to/from USD. This feature is particularly useful for applications that require currency conversion for pricing or trading purposes.

{
"success": true,
"query": {
"from": "USD",
"to": "XAU",
"amount": 1000
},
"info": {
"timestamp": 1780186462,
"rate": 0.000482
},
"result": 0.482,
"unit": "troy ounces"
}

Fluctuation Endpoint

The Fluctuation endpoint provides insights into how prices change over time. By tracking rate fluctuations between two dates, developers can analyze market volatility and make informed trading decisions.

{
"success": true,
"fluctuation": true,
"start_date": "2026-05-24",
"end_date": "2026-05-31",
"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

The OHLC endpoint provides detailed price data for a specific time period, including the opening, high, low, and closing prices. This data is crucial for traders who rely on candlestick charts and other technical analysis tools.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1780186462,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-05-31",
"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

The Bid/Ask endpoint provides current bid and ask prices for metals, which is essential for traders looking to execute orders at the best possible prices.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1780186462,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-05-31",
"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"
}

Practical Applications of Metals-API

Integrating the Metals-API into your applications opens up a world of possibilities for developers. Here are some practical use cases:

Market Analysis Tools

Developers can create sophisticated market analysis tools that leverage historical price data to provide insights into market trends. By using the Historical Rates and Time-Series endpoints, analysts can visualize price movements over time, helping investors make data-driven decisions.

Trading Platforms

For trading platforms, real-time data is essential. The Latest Rates and Bid/Ask endpoints can be integrated to provide users with up-to-the-minute pricing information, enabling them to execute trades at optimal prices.

Financial Applications

Financial applications can benefit from the Convert endpoint, allowing users to convert between different metals and currencies seamlessly. This feature enhances user experience and broadens the application’s functionality.

Security and Best Practices

When integrating the Metals-API, it is crucial to adhere to best practices for security and performance. Here are some recommendations:

Authentication and Authorization

Ensure that your API key is kept secure and not exposed in client-side code. Use server-side authentication to protect sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access.

Rate Limiting and Quota Management

Be mindful of the API's rate limits based on your subscription plan. Implement caching strategies to minimize unnecessary API calls and optimize performance.

Error Handling

Implement robust error handling to manage API response errors gracefully. This includes handling rate limit errors, invalid parameters, and network issues.

Conclusion

Obtaining historical prices for Gold (XAU) using the Metals-API is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance your data analysis capabilities. With a variety of endpoints at your disposal, you can access real-time and historical data, perform conversions, and track fluctuations with ease. By leveraging the power of the Metals-API, developers can create innovative applications that provide valuable insights into the 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. By integrating these tools into your applications, you can stay ahead in the dynamic world of metals trading.