More amazing facts about la plata

Potosí not only enriched the Western world with its silver, it also had at its time important influence on the world financial system since the first world currency was produced here. From the ending of the 16th century the coins printed in the city of the cierro rico could be used all over the world from Europe to Asia because of its high percentage of silver (96 percent). Just that the coins were not round caused some headaches since. It was posible to nibble some corner off and stay with an additional source of income.

That abuse had to come to an end when the mint of Potosí introduced new and imported machines in the 1770ies to produce real round coins. The reazon while we still find this form in our wallets. And history did not stop. The first Argentinian coins were printed in Potosí, when it was conquered for some time in the idependent wars of the Cono Sur, and of course the coins of the republic of Bolivia which gained as one of the last countries of South America independence from the Spanish kingdom in 1825. Bolivian coins were produced in Potosí till the 1950. Afterwards and up till now, the country imports its notes and coins. And guess what: Nowadays from Spain.

Potosí was not only producing coins. In the whole region and of course in Europe you´ll find everything made out of the metall from the cierro rico. From silvern clerical artifacts (see above) to secular pisspots. If you are interested in the other side of the silver business, I recommend the award winning documentary "the devil's miner" which we yesterday bought on one of the huge markets of La Paz and we could directly see on the hostel's television. What a luxurious life.