Fetch Zinc (ZNC) Historical Prices through a Simple API

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving landscape of metal markets, the need for accurate and timely data is paramount. Fetching historical prices for metals like Zinc (ZNC) has become increasingly essential for traders, analysts, and developers alike. With the advent of APIs such as the Metals-API, accessing historical price data has never been easier. This blog post delves into the capabilities of the Metals-API, focusing on how to retrieve historical prices for Zinc and the transformative potential of real-time metals data.

Metals-API Information

About Zinc (ZNC)

Zinc, represented by the symbol ZNC, is a crucial metal in various industrial applications, including construction, automotive, and electronics. As the demand for Zinc continues to rise, driven by technological advancements and digital transformation in metal markets, having access to reliable historical pricing data becomes vital. The integration of smart technology and data analytics allows stakeholders to make informed decisions based on historical trends and market fluctuations.

Technological innovation has paved the way for more efficient trading strategies and investment decisions. By leveraging data analytics, traders can gain insights into market behavior, identify patterns, and forecast future trends. The Metals-API serves as a powerful tool in this regard, providing developers with the means to build applications that can analyze and visualize historical price data for Zinc and other metals.

API Description

The Metals-API is designed to empower developers by providing access to real-time and historical data for various metals. This API is not just a data source; it represents a significant leap in how metal market data can be utilized. With its robust capabilities, the Metals-API enables the development of next-generation applications that can analyze, visualize, and predict market trends.

One of the standout features of the Metals-API is its ability to deliver real-time exchange rate data, updated frequently based on the subscription plan. This ensures that users have access to the most current information, allowing for timely decision-making. Furthermore, the API supports a wide range of endpoints, each tailored to specific data needs, from historical rates to conversion functionalities.

Key Features and Endpoints

The Metals-API offers a variety of endpoints that cater to different data retrieval needs. Here’s a closer look at some of the key features:

Latest Rates Endpoint

The Latest Rates Endpoint provides real-time exchange rate data for metals, updated every 60 minutes, 10 minutes, or even more frequently, depending on your subscription plan. This endpoint is crucial for traders who need to stay updated on the latest market prices.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1752818430,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-07-18",
    "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

For those interested in analyzing past market behavior, the Historical Rates Endpoint allows users to access historical rates dating back to 2019. By appending a specific date to the API request, developers can retrieve valuable insights into how Zinc prices have fluctuated over time.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1752732030,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-07-17",
    "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 looking to make informed buying and selling decisions based on current market conditions.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1752818430,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-07-18",
    "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 traders who need to quickly assess the value of their holdings in different currencies.

{
    "success": true,
    "query": {
        "from": "USD",
        "to": "XAU",
        "amount": 1000
    },
    "info": {
        "timestamp": 1752818430,
        "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 functionality is essential for conducting in-depth analyses of price trends over specific periods.

{
    "success": true,
    "timeseries": true,
    "start_date": "2025-07-11",
    "end_date": "2025-07-18",
    "base": "USD",
    "rates": {
        "2025-07-11": {
            "XAU": 0.000485,
            "XAG": 0.03825,
            "XPT": 0.000915
        },
        "2025-07-13": {
            "XAU": 0.000483,
            "XAG": 0.0382,
            "XPT": 0.000913
        },
        "2025-07-18": {
            "XAU": 0.000482,
            "XAG": 0.03815,
            "XPT": 0.000912
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Fluctuation Endpoint

The Fluctuation Endpoint provides insights into how prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis. By tracking rate changes between two dates, users can better understand market volatility and make informed trading decisions.

{
    "success": true,
    "fluctuation": true,
    "start_date": "2025-07-11",
    "end_date": "2025-07-18",
    "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 retrieve the open, high, low, and close prices for a specific time period. This data is essential for traders who analyze price movements and trends to inform their trading strategies.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1752818430,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-07-18",
    "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 endpoint is particularly useful for users interested in the London Metal Exchange (LME) data.

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1752732030,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-07-17",
    "rates": {
        "XAU": 0.000485,
        "XAG": 0.03825,
        "XPT": 0.000915,
        "XPD": 0.000748
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

API Key and Authentication

To access the Metals-API, users must obtain an API Key, which is a unique identifier passed into the API base URL's access_key parameter. This key is essential for authentication and ensures that only authorized users can access the data.

API Response and Data Structure

The API delivers exchange rates relative to USD by default. All data is returned in a structured JSON format, making it easy for developers to parse and utilize the information in their applications. Understanding the structure of the API response is crucial for effective data handling.

Common Use Cases and Implementation Strategies

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

• Building trading platforms that require real-time and historical price data.
• Creating analytical tools that visualize price trends and fluctuations.
• Integrating with financial applications to provide users with up-to-date market information.

Conclusion

The Metals-API represents a significant advancement in how developers can access and utilize historical prices for metals like Zinc. With its comprehensive range of endpoints and real-time data capabilities, the API empowers users to make informed decisions based on accurate market information. By integrating this API into their applications, developers can harness the power of data analytics and smart technology to drive innovation in the metal markets.

For more information on how to get started with the Metals-API, refer to the Metals-API Documentation and explore the Metals-API Supported Symbols for a complete list of available metals. Visit the Metals-API Website to learn more about the transformative potential of real-time metals data.