Explore Tin - LME 3-month (TIN3M) Historical Prices with this API

In the rapidly evolving landscape of metal markets, the demand for real-time data and historical insights has never been greater. This is particularly true for Tin (XSN), a metal that plays a crucial role in various industries, from electronics to manufacturing. With the advent of APIs like Metals-API, developers can now access comprehensive historical prices and real-time data, empowering them to build innovative applications that leverage this information. In this blog post, we will delve into the capabilities of Metals-API, focusing on how to retrieve historical prices for Tin and explore the broader implications of digital transformation in the metal markets.

About Tin (XSN)

Tin, represented by the symbol XSN, is a versatile metal known for its corrosion resistance and malleability. It is widely used in soldering, plating, and as an alloying agent. As industries increasingly rely on data analytics and smart technology integration, the demand for accurate and timely information about Tin prices has surged. The digital transformation in metal markets is characterized by technological innovations that enhance data accessibility and usability, allowing businesses to make informed decisions based on real-time insights.

With the integration of advanced data analytics, companies can now forecast trends, analyze market fluctuations, and optimize their supply chains. The future of Tin and other metals will likely see further advancements in technology, enabling even more sophisticated applications of data. By utilizing APIs like Metals-API, developers can tap into a wealth of information that can drive innovation and efficiency in their operations.

Metals-API Overview

Metals-API is a powerful tool designed to provide developers with access to real-time and historical metal prices. This API is particularly beneficial for those looking to integrate metal pricing data into their applications, whether for trading, analysis, or reporting purposes. The API offers a range of endpoints that cater to various needs, from retrieving the latest rates to accessing historical data dating back to 2008.

One of the standout features of Metals-API is its ability to deliver real-time exchange rate data, which is updated frequently based on the user's subscription plan. This ensures that developers have access to the most current information, allowing for timely decision-making. Furthermore, the API supports a wide array of metal symbols, including Tin, Gold (XAU), Silver (XAG), Platinum (XPT), and Palladium (XPD), among others. For a complete list of supported symbols, refer to the Metals-API Supported Symbols page.

Key Features and Endpoints

The Metals-API offers a variety of endpoints, each designed to fulfill specific data retrieval needs. Here are some of the key features:

Latest Rates Endpoint: This endpoint provides real-time exchange rate data for metals, updated every 60 minutes, every 10 minutes, or more frequently, depending on your subscription plan. This is essential for applications that require up-to-the-minute pricing information.
Historical Rates Endpoint: Developers can access historical rates for most metals dating back to 2019. By appending a specific date to the API request, users can retrieve past pricing data, which is invaluable for trend analysis and forecasting.
Bid and Ask Endpoint: This feature allows users to retrieve real-time bid and ask prices for metals, providing insights into market conditions and helping traders make informed decisions.
Convert Endpoint: The API includes a currency conversion feature, enabling users to convert amounts between different metals or to/from USD. This is particularly useful for applications that require multi-currency support.
Time-Series Endpoint: This endpoint allows users to query daily historical rates between two specified dates, facilitating in-depth analysis of price movements over time.
Fluctuation Endpoint: Users can track how metal prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis, providing insights into market volatility and trends.
Carat Endpoint: This feature provides information about Gold rates by Carat, allowing users to obtain precise pricing based on purity levels.
Lowest/Highest Price Endpoint: Users can query the API to find the lowest and highest prices for a specified date, which is crucial for understanding market extremes.
Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint: This endpoint provides detailed pricing information, including open, high, low, and close prices for a specific date, which is essential for technical analysis.
Historical LME Endpoint: This endpoint allows users to access historical rates for LME symbols, dating back to 2008, which is particularly useful for those involved in trading or investing in metals.
API Key: Each user is assigned a unique API key, which must be included in requests to authenticate access to the API.
API Response: The API returns exchange rates relative to USD by default, ensuring consistency in data interpretation.
News Endpoint: Users can retrieve the latest news articles related to various metals, keeping them informed about market developments.

Understanding API Responses

When interacting with the Metals-API, understanding the structure of the API responses is crucial for effective data utilization. Below are examples of typical responses from various endpoints:

Latest Rates Endpoint

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1763244050,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-11-15",
    "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"
}

This response indicates a successful request, providing the latest rates for various metals against USD. The "rates" object contains the current pricing for each metal symbol.

Historical Rates Endpoint

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1763157650,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-11-14",
    "rates": {
        "XAU": 0.000485,
        "XAG": 0.03825,
        "XPT": 0.000915,
        "XPD": 0.000748
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

This example shows a successful retrieval of historical rates for a specific date. The "rates" object provides the pricing for each metal, allowing for historical analysis.

Time-Series Endpoint

{
    "success": true,
    "timeseries": true,
    "start_date": "2025-11-08",
    "end_date": "2025-11-15",
    "base": "USD",
    "rates": {
        "2025-11-08": {
            "XAU": 0.000485,
            "XAG": 0.03825,
            "XPT": 0.000915
        },
        "2025-11-10": {
            "XAU": 0.000483,
            "XAG": 0.0382,
            "XPT": 0.000913
        },
        "2025-11-15": {
            "XAU": 0.000482,
            "XAG": 0.03815,
            "XPT": 0.000912
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

This response provides a time-series of rates for the specified date range, enabling users to analyze trends and fluctuations over time.

Convert Endpoint

{
    "success": true,
    "query": {
        "from": "USD",
        "to": "XAU",
        "amount": 1000
    },
    "info": {
        "timestamp": 1763244050,
        "rate": 0.000482
    },
    "result": 0.482,
    "unit": "troy ounces"
}

This example demonstrates the conversion of an amount from USD to Gold (XAU), providing both the conversion rate and the result in troy ounces.

Fluctuation Endpoint

{
    "success": true,
    "fluctuation": true,
    "start_date": "2025-11-08",
    "end_date": "2025-11-15",
    "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"
}

This response provides insights into how metal prices have fluctuated over a specified period, detailing the start and end rates, as well as the percentage change.

OHLC (Open/High/Low/Close) Price Endpoint

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1763244050,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-11-15",
    "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"
}

This endpoint provides a detailed view of the open, high, low, and close prices for metals, which is essential for traders and analysts looking to understand market dynamics.

Bid/Ask Endpoint

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1763244050,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-11-15",
    "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"
}

This response provides the current bid and ask prices for metals, along with the spread, which is crucial for traders looking to execute orders efficiently.

Practical Use Cases and Integration Strategies

Integrating Metals-API into applications can significantly enhance functionality and user experience. Here are some practical use cases:

Trading Platforms: Developers can leverage the latest rates and historical data to create trading platforms that allow users to buy and sell metals based on real-time pricing.
Market Analysis Tools: By utilizing the time-series and fluctuation endpoints, developers can build analytical tools that provide insights into market trends and price movements.
Financial Reporting: Businesses can automate financial reporting processes by integrating historical rates into their systems, ensuring accurate and timely reporting.
Investment Applications: Applications that help users track their investments in metals can benefit from the bid/ask and OHLC data, providing users with comprehensive insights into their portfolios.

Performance Optimization and Security Considerations

When integrating the Metals-API, it is essential to consider performance optimization and security best practices. Here are some strategies:

Rate Limiting: Be aware of the API's rate limits based on your subscription plan. Implement caching strategies to minimize redundant API calls and improve performance.
Error Handling: Implement robust error handling to manage API response errors gracefully. This includes retry mechanisms for transient errors and user notifications for critical failures.
Data Validation: Ensure that all data received from the API is validated and sanitized before being processed or displayed to users. This helps prevent security vulnerabilities.
Secure API Key Management: Store your API key securely and avoid exposing it in client-side code. Use environment variables or secure vaults for sensitive information.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Metals-API provides a comprehensive solution for accessing real-time and historical metal prices, including Tin (XSN). By leveraging its powerful endpoints, developers can create innovative applications that enhance decision-making and drive efficiency in metal markets. The integration of advanced data analytics and smart technology will continue to shape the future of the industry, making it imperative for developers to stay informed about the latest trends and tools available.

For more detailed information about the API's capabilities, visit the Metals-API Documentation. To explore the full range of supported symbols, check out the Metals-API Supported Symbols page. By harnessing the power of real-time metals data, developers can unlock new possibilities and drive innovation in their applications.

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Explore Tin - LME 3-month (TIN3M) Historical Prices with this API