The Easiest Way to Get Micro Gold Futures (MGC) Historical Rates from APIs

In the rapidly evolving world of finance, the demand for accurate and timely data is paramount, especially when it comes to precious metals like gold. For developers looking to integrate historical prices of micro gold futures (MGC) into their applications, the Metals-API offers a robust solution. This blog post will guide you through the process of retrieving historical prices using the Metals-API, detailing the various endpoints, parameters, and data formats available.

About Gold (XAU)

Gold, represented by the symbol XAU, has long been a cornerstone of the financial market. Its value is influenced by various factors, including economic stability, inflation rates, and geopolitical tensions. In recent years, the digital transformation in precious metals has opened new avenues for data analytics and market insights. The integration of technology in trading has revolutionized how investors access and interpret market data, leading to innovative solutions in price discovery and digital asset management.

The Metals-API stands at the forefront of this transformation, empowering developers to build next-generation applications that leverage real-time metals data. By providing access to a comprehensive range of endpoints, the Metals-API enables users to obtain the latest and historical rates, perform conversions, and analyze fluctuations in metal prices.

API Description

The Metals-API is designed to provide seamless access to metals prices and currency conversion through a simple JSON API. With a focus on innovation and technological advancement, this API allows developers to create applications that can respond to market changes in real-time. The API supports a variety of functionalities, including retrieving the latest rates, historical data, and even news related to metals.

For detailed information on how to use the API, refer to the Metals-API Documentation. This resource provides comprehensive guidance on the available endpoints, parameters, and response formats.

Key Features and Endpoints

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

Latest Rates Endpoint: Depending on your subscription plan, this endpoint returns real-time exchange rate data updated every 60 minutes or more frequently. This is essential for applications that require the most current pricing information.
Historical Rates Endpoint: Access historical rates dating back to 2019 by appending a specific date to your request. This feature is invaluable for analyzing trends over time.
Bid and Ask Endpoint: Retrieve real-time bid and ask prices, allowing traders to make informed decisions based on current market conditions.
Convert Endpoint: This endpoint enables users to convert amounts between different metals or to/from USD, facilitating transactions across various currencies.
Time-Series Endpoint: Query the API for daily historical rates between two dates of your choice, making it easier to analyze price movements over specific periods.
Fluctuation Endpoint: Track how metal prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis, providing insights into market volatility.
Carat Endpoint: Retrieve gold rates by carat, which is particularly useful for jewelers and those in the jewelry industry.
Lowest/Highest Price Endpoint: Query the API to get the lowest and highest prices for a specific date, aiding in market analysis.
Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint: Obtain OHLC data for a specific time period, which is crucial for technical analysis.
Historical LME Endpoint: Access historical rates for LME symbols dating back to 2008, providing a broader context for market analysis.
API Key: Your unique API key is required for authentication and must be included in your requests.
API Response: The API delivers exchange rates relative to USD by default, ensuring consistency in data interpretation.
Supported Symbols Endpoint: Access a constantly updated list of all available currencies and metals supported by the API.
News Endpoint: Retrieve the latest news articles related to various metals, keeping you informed about market developments.

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.

API Endpoint Examples and Responses

Understanding how to interact with the Metals-API is crucial for effective implementation. Below are examples of various endpoints, including their expected responses.

Latest Rates Endpoint

Get real-time exchange rates for all available metals.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1770278856,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-02-05",
"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

Access historical exchange rates for any date since 1999.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1770192456,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-02-04",
"rates": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825,
"XPT": 0.000915,
"XPD": 0.000748
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Time-series Endpoint

Get exchange rates for a specific time period.

{
"success": true,
"timeseries": true,
"start_date": "2026-01-29",
"end_date": "2026-02-05",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"2026-01-29": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825,
"XPT": 0.000915
},
"2026-01-31": {
"XAU": 0.000483,
"XAG": 0.0382,
"XPT": 0.000913
},
"2026-02-05": {
"XAU": 0.000482,
"XAG": 0.03815,
"XPT": 0.000912
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Convert Endpoint

Convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD.

{
"success": true,
"query": {
"from": "USD",
"to": "XAU",
"amount": 1000
},
"info": {
"timestamp": 1770278856,
"rate": 0.000482
},
"result": 0.482,
"unit": "troy ounces"
}

Fluctuation Endpoint

Track rate fluctuations between two dates.

{
"success": true,
"fluctuation": true,
"start_date": "2026-01-29",
"end_date": "2026-02-05",
"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

Get OHLC data for a specific time period.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1770278856,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-02-05",
"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

Get current bid and ask prices for metals.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1770278856,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-02-05",
"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"
}

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Metals-API provides a comprehensive and innovative solution for developers seeking to access historical rates and real-time data for precious metals like gold. By leveraging the various endpoints available, developers can create applications that not only track prices but also analyze trends and fluctuations over time. The ability to convert between different metals and currencies further enhances the API's utility, making it an essential tool for anyone involved in the trading or analysis of precious metals.

For more information on how to get started with the Metals-API, visit the Metals-API Website and explore the Metals-API Documentation for detailed guidance on implementation. Don't forget to check the Metals-API Supported Symbols page to familiarize yourself with the available metal symbols.

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The Easiest Way to Get Micro Gold Futures (MGC) Historical Rates from APIs