Accession Number

1983.004.0004

Creation Date

circa 1574 – 1598

Description

Philip II.

Exhibition Label

Case / Object Caption (2023):

ROYAL MINTS
Silver (Peru and Mexico, 1600-1621)

Gifts of George & Martha Breed, John Davis, Dunseth/Breed/Manola/Davis/Theroux/Dechon, George Espey, Elizabeth B. Fay, Dorothy G. Firlit, Mel and Dolores Fisher, Joan Gold, Jamestown, Eugene Lyon, Robert B. Massey, William W. Massey, Jr., P.D. Investments, Andy Scott, John Scott, Dak Smith, Rodman Sutton, James and Mary Theroux, Treasure Salvors, Robert V. Vitolo, Jim Whittaker, Dr. William F. Wittenborn, Jr.

1982.002.0003, 1983.004.0004, 1984.012.0025, 1984.012.0733, 1984.016.0142, 1984.016.0144, 1984.016.0149, 1984.017.0023-0024, 1984.017.0027-0028, 1985.004.0063, 1986.003.0035, 1986.003.0087, 1986.003.0103, 1986.003.0172, 1986.003.0232, 1986.003.0297, 1986.003.0303, 1986.003.0309, 1986.003.0327, 1986.003.0343, 1986.003.0366, 1986.004.0087, 1986.004.0110, 1986.007.0014, 1986.008.0184, 1987.002.0002, 1987.006.0074, 1987.009.0001, 1987.010.0001, 1987.017.0006, 1997.007.0009, 1997.014.0010, 1997.014.0011, 1997.020.0001, 1999.008.0001, 1999.009.0001, 1999.013.0001, 2001.004.0050, 2001.004.0052, 2001.009.0004-0005, 2001.011.0027, 2004.005.0001-0002, 2004.008.0001

Mints in the Americas operated under a royal charter and were carefully regulated. Coins were cut to the appropriate weight, certified by an assayer and marked with his initial.

The obverse (front) of the coin showed a shield with the royal coat of arms. This changed with royal marriages and conquests, while the reverse held a cross. Each mint used a slightly different design. Coins made in the Americas bore the legend at their rim, announcing the ruler of Spain as “King of Spain and the Indies, by the grace of God.”