Imports of American Gold and Silver into Spain, 1503–1660

Abstract

I. Effect of fertile American mines on European prices — Spain the recipient and distributor of the treasure, 437.—New sources of data, 438.—II. House of Trade and Merchant Gild of Seville, 441.—Handling of bullion in the Indies: ( a ) mining; ( b ) assaying; ( c ) shipping, 442.—III. Treasure fleets, 444.—Attempts to plunder, 445.—Measures taken to combat smuggling and exporting: ( a ) in America; ( b ) on fleets; ( c ) in Spanish waters, 448.—The silver master, 451.—The House of Trade the goal of all American treasure, 453.—How gold and silver were disposed of in Spain: ( a ) mints; ( b ) silver merchants, 454.—IV. Volume of imports, Table A, Chart I; explanation of trends, 462.—Gold and silver, Table B, 468.—Relative importance of exporting regions, Chart II, 469.— V, How imports affected motherland and colonies, 469.