Data on elements' abundance in Earth's crust is added for comparison.
While the difficulty of obtaining macroscopic samples of synthetic elements in part explains their high value, there has been interest in converting base metals to gold (Chrysopoeia) since ancient times, but only deeper understanding of nuclear physics has allowed the actual production of a tiny amount of gold from other elements for research purposes as demonstrated by Glenn Seaborg.
[1][2] However, both this and other routes of synthesis of precious metals via nuclear reactions is orders of magnitude removed from economic viability.
Hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and chlorine are cheapest by volume at atmospheric pressure.
For elements whose radiological properties are important, individual isotopes and isomers are listed.