Collect LME Copper (LME-XCU) Historical Prices using this API

Introduction
In the ever-evolving landscape of metal markets, the ability to access and analyze historical prices is crucial for developers, traders, and analysts alike. One of the most sought-after metals is Copper, represented by the symbol XCU. With the rise of digital transformation, technological innovation, and data analytics, the demand for real-time and historical data has never been higher. This blog post will delve into how to collect LME Copper (LME-XCU) historical prices using the Metals-API, a powerful tool that empowers developers to build next-generation applications with real-time metals data.
Metals-API Information
About Copper (XCU)
Copper is a fundamental metal in various industries, from electrical wiring to construction. Its price fluctuations can significantly impact economic indicators and investment strategies. The digital transformation in metal markets has led to the integration of smart technologies and data analytics, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions based on real-time data. The Metals-API provides a robust platform for accessing historical prices, allowing users to analyze trends, forecast future movements, and optimize trading strategies.
Technological Innovation and Advancement
The Metals-API stands at the forefront of technological advancement in the metals market. By leveraging cloud computing and advanced data analytics, the API offers seamless access to a wealth of information. Developers can integrate this data into their applications, enabling features such as real-time price tracking, historical analysis, and predictive modeling. The API's capabilities extend beyond mere data retrieval; it empowers users to harness the power of data to drive innovation in their respective fields.
Data Analytics and Insights
Data analytics plays a pivotal role in understanding market dynamics. With the Metals-API, users can access historical rates for Copper dating back to 2008, allowing for comprehensive analysis of price trends over time. This historical data can be invaluable for identifying patterns, assessing market volatility, and making informed investment decisions. The API's Time-Series Endpoint enables users to query daily historical rates between two dates, facilitating in-depth analysis and reporting.
Smart Technology Integration
Integrating smart technology into metal trading applications can enhance user experience and decision-making processes. The Metals-API supports various endpoints that allow developers to create sophisticated applications capable of real-time data processing. For instance, the Latest Rates Endpoint provides real-time exchange rate data updated every few minutes, ensuring that users have access to the most current information available.
Future Trends and Possibilities
As the demand for metals continues to grow, the future of data access and analytics in this sector looks promising. The Metals-API is continuously evolving, with plans to introduce new features and enhancements that will further empower users. By staying ahead of technological trends and embracing innovation, developers can create applications that not only meet current market needs but also anticipate future demands.
API Description
The Metals-API is a comprehensive JSON API that provides access to metals prices and currency conversion. It is designed for developers looking to integrate real-time and historical metals data into their applications. The API offers a variety of endpoints, each serving a specific purpose, from retrieving the latest rates to accessing historical data and performing currency conversions.
Key Features and Endpoints
The Metals-API includes several key features that enhance its functionality:
- Latest Rates Endpoint: Depending on your subscription plan, this endpoint returns real-time exchange rate data for Copper and other metals, updated every 60 minutes or more frequently. This feature is essential for applications that require up-to-the-minute pricing information.
- Historical Rates Endpoint: Users can access historical rates for Copper dating back to 2008. By appending a specific date to the API call, developers can retrieve historical pricing data, enabling them to analyze trends and make informed decisions.
- Bid and Ask Endpoint: This powerful feature allows users to retrieve real-time bid and ask prices for Copper, providing insights into market liquidity and pricing dynamics.
- Convert Endpoint: The API includes a dedicated endpoint for currency conversion, allowing users to convert amounts from one metal to another or to/from USD. This feature is particularly useful for traders operating in multiple currencies.
- Time-Series Endpoint: This endpoint enables users to query daily historical rates between two specified dates, facilitating comprehensive analysis of price movements over time.
- Fluctuation Endpoint: Users can track rate fluctuations between two dates, gaining insights into market volatility and price trends.
- Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint: This endpoint provides detailed OHLC data for Copper, allowing users to analyze price movements within a specific time period.
- Historical LME Endpoint: Access historical rates for LME symbols, including Copper, dating back to 2008. This endpoint is crucial for users looking to analyze long-term trends in the LME market.
- API Key: Each user is assigned a unique API key, which must be included in API requests to authenticate access.
- API Response: The API delivers exchange rates relative to USD, with all data returned in a structured JSON format.
- Available Endpoints: The Metals-API offers a comprehensive list of endpoints, each designed to provide specific functionalities related to metals pricing and conversion.
- Supported Symbols Endpoint: This endpoint returns a constantly updated list of all available metal symbols, ensuring users have access to the latest information.
- News Endpoint: Users can retrieve the latest news articles related to various metals, keeping them informed about market developments.
API Endpoint Examples and Responses
Latest Rates Endpoint
The Latest Rates Endpoint provides real-time exchange rates for all available metals, including Copper. Here’s an example response:
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1755061237,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-08-13",
"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"
}
In this response, the rates object contains the current price of Copper (XCU) along with other metals, expressed in troy ounces.
Historical Rates Endpoint
The Historical Rates Endpoint allows users to access historical exchange rates for any date since 1999. Here’s an example response:
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1754974837,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-08-12",
"rates": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825,
"XPT": 0.000915,
"XPD": 0.000748
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}
This response provides historical pricing data for various metals, allowing users to analyze trends over time.
Time-Series Endpoint
The Time-Series Endpoint enables users to retrieve exchange rates for a specific time period. Here’s an example response:
{
"success": true,
"timeseries": true,
"start_date": "2025-08-06",
"end_date": "2025-08-13",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"2025-08-06": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825,
"XPT": 0.000915
},
"2025-08-08": {
"XAU": 0.000483,
"XAG": 0.0382,
"XPT": 0.000913
},
"2025-08-13": {
"XAU": 0.000482,
"XAG": 0.03815,
"XPT": 0.000912
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}
This endpoint is particularly useful for users looking to analyze price movements over a defined period, providing daily rates for Copper and other metals.
Convert Endpoint
The Convert Endpoint allows users to convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD. Here’s an example response:
{
"success": true,
"query": {
"from": "USD",
"to": "XAU",
"amount": 1000
},
"info": {
"timestamp": 1755061237,
"rate": 0.000482
},
"result": 0.482,
"unit": "troy ounces"
}
This response indicates the conversion of 1000 USD to troy ounces of Gold (XAU), showcasing the API's versatility in handling currency conversions.
Fluctuation Endpoint
The Fluctuation Endpoint allows users to track rate fluctuations between two dates. Here’s an example response:
{
"success": true,
"fluctuation": true,
"start_date": "2025-08-06",
"end_date": "2025-08-13",
"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 endpoint provides insights into how prices have changed over a specified period, helping users understand market volatility.
OHLC (Open/High/Low/Close) Price Endpoint
The Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint provides detailed OHLC data for a specific time period. Here’s an example response:
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1755061237,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-08-13",
"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 is essential for traders looking to analyze price movements within a specific timeframe, providing critical data for technical analysis.
Bid/Ask Endpoint
The Bid/Ask Endpoint provides current bid and ask prices for metals. Here’s an example response:
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1755061237,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-08-13",
"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 endpoint is crucial for traders looking to understand market liquidity and pricing dynamics, providing real-time bid and ask prices for Copper and other metals.
Conclusion
Accessing historical prices for LME Copper (LME-XCU) is essential for developers and traders seeking to navigate the complexities of the metal markets. The Metals-API Documentation provides comprehensive guidance on utilizing the API's features, including real-time rates, historical data, and conversion capabilities. By leveraging the power of data analytics and smart technology integration, users can gain valuable insights into market trends and make informed decisions.
As the demand for metals continues to grow, the Metals-API stands ready to support developers in building innovative applications that harness the potential of real-time data. For a complete list of supported symbols, refer to the Metals-API Supported Symbols page. Embrace the future of metal trading with the Metals-API and unlock the potential of historical price analysis.