Lead Price in 1997
In 1997, the price of lead averaged $624 per tonne, down 19.4% from the year before. This page covers the 1997 average, high, low, and year-end close, the events that moved the market, and what that lead would be worth in today's dollars.
1997 Average
$624
LME annual average, USD/tonne
Change vs 1996
-19.4%
from $774 in 1996
What happened to the lead price in 1997
Lead averaged $624 per tonne in 1997, sliding 19.4% from the $774 average of 1996.
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 1997 average of $624 equals about $1,253 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 1997?
What is a 1997 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.