Lead Price in 1996
In 1996, the price of lead averaged $774 per tonne, up 22.7% from the year before. This page covers the 1996 average, high, low, and year-end close, the events that moved the market, and what that lead would be worth in today's dollars.
1996 Average
$774
LME annual average, USD/tonne
Change vs 1995
+22.7%
from $631 in 1995
What happened to the lead price in 1996
Lead averaged $774 per tonne in 1996, climbing 22.7% from the $631 average of 1995.
Lead peaked early in the decade around $810, then drifted lower through the 1990s on oversupply and the Asian financial crisis.
Adjusted for inflation, lead's 1996 average of $774 equals about $1,590 in today's dollars. The conversion uses US Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U annual averages, so treat it as a close approximation rather than an exact figure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the price of lead in 1996?
What is a 1996 lead price worth in today's dollars?
Annual averages are World Bank and LME lead prices per tonne in US dollars (LME cash and settlement basis). The 2025 figure is preliminary. Where daily data exists, the per-year high, low, and close come from MetalCharts historical data. Inflation adjustments use BLS CPI-U annual averages.