Retrieve Micro Gold Futures (MGC) Historical Prices with this API

Retrieve Micro Gold Futures (MGC) Historical Prices with this API
In the ever-evolving landscape of financial markets, the demand for precise and timely data is paramount, especially for precious metals like gold. The ability to retrieve historical prices for Micro Gold Futures (MGC) is crucial for traders, analysts, and developers looking to build applications that leverage real-time and historical data. In this blog post, we will explore how to effectively use the Metals-API to access historical prices for gold and other precious metals, focusing on the innovative features and capabilities that this API offers.
About Gold (XAU)
Gold, represented by the symbol XAU, has long been a cornerstone of the global economy. Its intrinsic value and historical significance make it a preferred asset for investors and traders alike. As we navigate the digital transformation in precious metals trading, the integration of technology and data analytics becomes increasingly vital. The Metals-API provides a robust platform that empowers developers to harness the power of real-time metals data, enabling innovative applications that can analyze market trends, optimize trading strategies, and enhance price discovery.
With the rise of digital asset solutions, the importance of accurate and timely data cannot be overstated. The Metals-API facilitates this by offering a comprehensive suite of endpoints that allow users to access the latest rates, historical prices, and even fluctuations in metal prices. This capability is essential for those looking to gain insights into market dynamics and make informed trading decisions.
API Description
The Metals-API is designed to provide developers with seamless access to a wealth of data related to precious metals. Its capabilities extend beyond mere price retrieval; it empowers users to build next-generation applications that can analyze and interpret data in real-time. The API is built with a focus on innovation and technological advancement, ensuring that users can leverage the latest in data analytics to enhance their trading strategies.
One of the standout features of the Metals-API is its ability to deliver real-time exchange rate data, updated at intervals depending on the user's subscription plan. This ensures that traders have access to the most current information, allowing them to make decisions based on the latest market conditions. Additionally, the API supports a variety of endpoints that cater to different needs, from retrieving historical rates to converting currencies and tracking fluctuations.
Key Features and Endpoints
The Metals-API offers a diverse range of endpoints, each designed to fulfill specific requirements of traders and developers. Here are some of the key features:
- Latest Rates Endpoint: This endpoint provides real-time exchange rate data for various metals, updated every 60 minutes, 10 minutes, or even more frequently based on the subscription plan. This feature is crucial for traders who need to act quickly on market movements.
- Historical Rates Endpoint: Users can access historical rates for most currencies dating back to 2019. By appending a specific date to the API request, developers can retrieve past prices, which is essential for backtesting trading strategies.
- Bid And Ask Endpoint: This powerful feature allows users to retrieve real-time bid and ask prices, providing insights into market liquidity and helping traders make informed decisions.
- Convert Endpoint: The API includes a currency conversion feature that enables users to convert amounts from one metal to another or to/from USD, facilitating seamless transactions.
- Time-Series Endpoint: This endpoint allows users to query daily historical rates between two specified dates, making it easier to analyze trends over time.
- Fluctuation Endpoint: Users can track how metal prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis, which is vital for understanding market volatility.
- Carat Endpoint: This feature provides information about gold rates by carat, catering to jewelers and those in the jewelry industry.
- Lowest/Highest Price Endpoint: Users can query the API to get the lowest and highest prices for a specified date, which is useful for identifying market extremes.
- Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint: This endpoint provides open, high, low, and close prices for a specific date, essential for technical analysis.
- Historical LME Endpoint: Access historical rates for LME symbols dating back to 2008, providing a comprehensive view of market trends.
- API Key: Each user is assigned a unique API key, which is required for authentication and access to the API's features.
- API Response: The API delivers exchange rates relative to USD by default, ensuring consistency in data interpretation.
- Available Endpoints: The Metals-API comes with a constantly updated list of available endpoints, ensuring users have access to the latest features.
- Gold Price India Endpoint: Retrieve the latest gold price in India using this dedicated endpoint, catering to regional market needs.
- News Endpoint: Stay updated with the latest news articles related to various metals, providing context to market movements.
List of Symbols
The Metals-API provides access to a comprehensive range of metal symbols. For a complete list of all supported symbols and their specifications, refer to the Metals-API Supported Symbols page. This resource is invaluable for developers looking to integrate specific metals into their applications.
API Endpoint Examples and Responses
Understanding the API responses is crucial for effective integration. Below are examples of various endpoints and their corresponding JSON responses:
Latest Rates Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1746234252,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-05-03",
"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 that the API successfully retrieved the latest rates for various metals, with the base currency being USD. The rates are provided per troy ounce, which is the standard measurement for precious metals.
Historical Rates Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1746147852,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-05-02",
"rates": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825,
"XPT": 0.000915,
"XPD": 0.000748
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}
This example shows a successful response from the historical rates endpoint, providing rates for gold and other metals on a specific date. This data is essential for traders looking to analyze past performance.
Time-series Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"timeseries": true,
"start_date": "2025-04-26",
"end_date": "2025-05-03",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"2025-04-26": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825,
"XPT": 0.000915
},
"2025-04-28": {
"XAU": 0.000483,
"XAG": 0.0382,
"XPT": 0.000913
},
"2025-05-03": {
"XAU": 0.000482,
"XAG": 0.03815,
"XPT": 0.000912
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}
The time-series response provides daily rates between two specified dates, allowing users to analyze trends and fluctuations over time. This is particularly useful for identifying patterns in price movements.
Convert Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"query": {
"from": "USD",
"to": "XAU",
"amount": 1000
},
"info": {
"timestamp": 1746234252,
"rate": 0.000482
},
"result": 0.482,
"unit": "troy ounces"
}
This response illustrates the conversion of an amount from USD to gold (XAU). The result indicates that $1000 is equivalent to 0.482 troy ounces of gold, providing a straightforward way to understand the value of investments in precious metals.
Fluctuation Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"fluctuation": true,
"start_date": "2025-04-26",
"end_date": "2025-05-03",
"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"
}
The fluctuation endpoint provides insights into how prices have changed over a specified period. This information is critical for traders looking to gauge market volatility and make informed decisions based on price movements.
OHLC (Open/High/Low/Close) Price Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1746234252,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-05-03",
"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 open, high, low, and close prices for a specific date, which is essential for technical analysis and understanding market trends. Traders often use this data to identify potential entry and exit points.
Bid/Ask Endpoint
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1746234252,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-05-03",
"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"
}
The bid/ask endpoint provides current bid and ask prices for metals, along with the spread. This information is crucial for traders looking to execute trades at the best possible prices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Metals-API offers a powerful and flexible solution for accessing historical prices and real-time data for precious metals like gold. With its comprehensive suite of endpoints, developers can build innovative applications that leverage this data for trading, analysis, and market insights. The ability to retrieve historical prices, track fluctuations, and convert currencies provides a robust foundation for any trading strategy.
As the financial landscape continues to evolve, the integration of technology and data analytics will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of precious metals trading. By utilizing the Metals-API Documentation, developers can unlock the full potential of this API and create applications that drive informed decision-making in the precious metals market.
For more information on the available symbols and their specifications, visit the Metals-API Supported Symbols page. To get started with the API, explore the Metals-API Website and begin integrating these powerful features into your applications today.