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Eight Million for the Piece of Eight
Zoins
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I was just reading up on Spanish silver operations in Potosi, arguably the largest silver mining operation in the Spanish Empire that created a lot of the silver that circulated in the early US. Mining started in 1545 and the Potosi Mint was created in 1672 as the first mint in the Americas.
From 1545 to 1825, eight million Bolivians and Africans died from forced mining of Spanish silver. Working conditions meant spending 4 months at a time under ground without seeing daylight.
Brings new appreciation to me about the Spanish silver that circulated in the early US.
Here's a quote from the city's first coat of arms:
From 1545 to 1825, eight million Bolivians and Africans died from forced mining of Spanish silver. Working conditions meant spending 4 months at a time under ground without seeing daylight.
Brings new appreciation to me about the Spanish silver that circulated in the early US.
Here's a quote from the city's first coat of arms:
Quoted from: Potosi Coat of Arms
I am rich Potosi,
The treasure of the world...
And the envy of kings.
I am rich Potosi,
The treasure of the world...
And the envy of kings.
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And many of the gold doubloons of the era were struck from bullion obtained by melting down precious pieces of native art and jewelry.
Too many problems with living underground, waste removal, cooking and feeding, sleeping quarters, etc.
And if that is true that means 78 people a DAY died in the mines. Every day for 280 years.
bob
Not so sure that I believe this.
Too many problems with living underground, waste removal, cooking and feeding, sleeping quarters, etc.
And if that is true that means 78 people a DAY died in the mines. Every day for 280 years.
bob
I have no perspective on this and maybe it's the result of being an analyst at heart, but it'd be interesting to look at the sources supporting the 8M including specifically what was included in the deaths, the number of people employed in mining and how both statistics varied over time. The Spanish were doubtless incredibly brutal in their conquests, but the devil's always in the details and whether the source has some ax to grind. Whatever the number, however, it certainly informs one's opinion of the human cost associated with those shiny disks we enjoy so much.
Not so sure that I believe this.
Too many problems with living underground, waste removal, cooking and feeding, sleeping quarters, etc.
And if that is true that means 78 people a DAY died in the mines. Every day for 280 years.
bob
I have no perspective on this and maybe it's the result of being an analyst at heart, but it'd be interesting to look at the sources supporting the 8M including specifically what was included in the deaths, the number of people employed in mining and how both statistics varied over time. The Spanish were doubtless incredibly brutal in their conquests, but the devil's always in the details and whether the source has some ax to grind. Whatever the number, however, it certainly informs one's opinion of the human cost associated with those shiny disks we enjoy so much.
I sort of take these kind of stats with at least TWO grains of salt. I suppose a review of sources originally cited would be in order. I might do a little research myself. We do, of course, know of the Spaniard's treatment of conquered people, but the numbers are just incredible if true, that's a lot of people.
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figures like that.... Cheers, RickO
Two sources below
Charles III Album
Charles III Portrait Set
Charles IV Album
Charles IV Portrait Set
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Retired
At the same time it puts the hatred directed toward Columbus in perspective. There were many Spanish conquerors include Cortez and Pizarro who treated the Native Americans far worse.
Not so sure that I believe this.
Too many problems with living underground, waste removal, cooking and feeding, sleeping quarters, etc.
And if that is true that means 78 people a DAY died in the mines. Every day for 280 years.
bob
I have no perspective on this and maybe it's the result of being an analyst at heart, but it'd be interesting to look at the sources supporting the 8M including specifically what was included in the deaths, the number of people employed in mining and how both statistics varied over time. The Spanish were doubtless incredibly brutal in their conquests, but the devil's always in the details and whether the source has some ax to grind. Whatever the number, however, it certainly informs one's opinion of the human cost *****ociated with those shiny disks we enjoy so much.
As a history buff, the Devil is very much in the details.
Isn't Mexico the first mint in the America's ?
Two sources below
You're correct - the Mexico City Mint was the first, established in 1535 when Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza arrived in New Spain he brought with him a Royal Charter from the Spanish Crown authorizing the establishment of the mint.
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