In recent months, Mennica Skarbowa has observed a growing interest among Poles in investing in platinum. While this precious metal still lingers in the shadow of gold and silver, its economic and investment significance has been steadily rising – both globally and on the Polish market. Over the past 12 months, the price of platinum has risen by approximately 50%, reaching over USD 1,500 per ounce in September 2025. According to representatives of Mennica Skarbowa, this metal may set new price records later this year.
Why is platinum so valuable?
Platinum is a rare, durable metal with exceptional resistance to corrosion. Thanks to its unique chemical and physical properties, it is irreplaceable across many industries – from automotive and electronics to medicine and jewelry. Its role is particularly crucial in the production of car catalytic converters, where it is responsible for reducing harmful emissions. Unlike gold, the primary function of which remains the preservation of value, platinum is driven largely by industrial demand. This means that its price depends more on the real condition of the global economy and industrial demand than on investor sentiment alone.
– It is estimated that global platinum reserves are significantly smaller than those of gold. Annual platinum production amounts to roughly 180–200 tons, compared with more than 3,000 tons of gold mined each year. Moreover, over 70% of the world’s platinum output is concentrated in a single country – South Africa. Russia is the second key producer, while the remaining supply comes mainly from Zimbabwe, Canada, and the United States. This geographical concentration makes the platinum market more vulnerable to disruptions, both political and logistical. Any delay in mining or geopolitical tensions can significantly affect supply and thus the price of the metal – comments Adam Stroniawski, Managing Director of Sales at Mennica Skarbowa.
Mining and price
Platinum is mainly obtained as a by-product of nickel and copper ore mining. However, the process of separating and refining it is both time-consuming and costly, which further affects the value of the metal. Mining is mainly carried out using deep mining methods, and the ore obtained undergoes a series of chemical processes before pure platinum can be isolated. The automotive industry remains the largest consumer of platinum, with as much as 35–40% of global demand going to catalytic converter manufacturers. Other significant areas of use include the chemical industry (catalysts in chemical synthesis), electronics (conductive components, hard drives), medicine (e.g. implants, surgical instruments) and hydrogen energy – platinum is a key component in fuel cells. Jewelry should not be overlooked either. Though less popular than gold, platinum is prized for its durability and elegance. Platinum jewelry is particularly valued in Asia and North America, with its popularity also steadily increasing in Europe.
– Over the past 12 months, the price of platinum has risen by around 50%, reaching roughly USD 1,500 per ounce in September 2025. This surge is driven by several factors: growing industrial demand (particularly in the green energy and electromobility sectors), supply constraints from South Africa, and increased interest from investors seeking alternatives to gold. With the planned decarbonisation of transport and industry, fuel cells – in which platinum plays a key role – may become one of the pillars of the green transition. At the same time, the development of hydrogen technologies could further boost demand for the metal. In Poland, we are observing growing interest among consumers who are increasingly purchasing platinum products in our stores and online. The most popular are investment bars available in weights from 1 g to 100 g and bullion coins – popular issues include the Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf, the American Platinum Eagle and the Australian Platinum Kangaroo. They are often minted in limited editions, which increases their collector’s value. I estimate that by the end of the year, the price of platinum may reach USD 1,350-1,400 per ounce – adds Adam Stroniawski, Managing Director of Sales at Mennica Skarbowa.
Where is platinum sold the most?
The largest markets for platinum are China, Japan, the United States, and Germany. China dominates in terms of consumption, both in industry and in the jewelry sector. In the USA and Germany, platinum is also gaining importance as an investment asset – a trend that is also beginning to emerge in Poland. The rapidly growing market for electric vehicles and fuel cells in Asia is only accelerating this tendency.
