Maltagliati (Coins)

Maltagliati coins are the result of the processing of minerals extracted from the mines of Central America by the native populations. These coins were produced in the mints of the viceroys of New Hispania and Peru, following the legislation of the Spanish realm, and then arrived in Europe on vessels.The pieces in the exhibition come from Mexico City, Santa Fé, Seville and Potosí. Their irregural shape is due to the production method, as they were cut with shears with a fairly thick sheet and the exemplar was fixed with a hammer stroke, often not sufficient to obtain optimal results. In the centre there is a shield, symbol of the Hapsburg properties and on the reverse side there are weapons of Castile and Léon realms. Moreover, the two sides display the name of the reigning king, the year of minting and the indication of the nominal.