Platinum is one of the least reactive metals. It has remarkable resistance to corrosion, even at high temperatures, and is therefore considered a noble metal. Consequently, platinum is often found chemically uncombined as native platinum. Because it occurs naturally in the alluvial sands of various rivers, it was first used by pre-Columbian South American natives to produce artifacts. It was referenced in European writings as early as 16th century, but it was not until Antonio de Ulloa published a report on a new metal of Colombian origin in 1748 that it began to be investigated by scientists. Pure platinum is less expensive than pure gold, having been so continuously since 2015.[9] In early 2021, the value of platinum ranged from US$1,055 per troy ounce to US$1,320 per troy ounce.

Platinum, along with the rest of the platinum-group metals, is obtained commercially as a by-product from nickel and copper mining and processing. During electrorefining of copper, noble metals such as silver, gold and the platinum-group metals as well as selenium and tellurium settle to the bottom of the cell as "anode mud", which forms the starting point for the extraction of the platinum-group metals

Platinum coins are a popular investment, and each year the number of such coins sold by Sberbank of Russia increases by 30–50%. Most experts agree that such investments should have a long-term character, as the rise of the platinum price is relatively slow – about 80% over the last 5 years, except for a rapid rise followed by decline in 2008.Also, whereas most banks can sell platinum coins, only a few buy them, as this requires evaluation by an experienced professional.