The Spanish Treasure Fleets

Walton, Timothy R.

ISBN 10: 1561640492 / ISBN 13: 9781561640492

Published by Pineapple Press, Inc., Sarasota, FL., 1994

About this Item

xiv + 256 pp., maps, b/w photos & illus., appendices, glossary, notes, bib., index. The search for the treasure fleets from 1492 to the present. Half cloth bound hard cover book & d/w both in near fine cond.

Seller Inventory # 013375

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Spanish Treasure Fleets
• Publisher: Pineapple Press, Inc., Sarasota, FL.
• Publication Date: 1994
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1561640492
• ISBN 13: 9781561640492
• Binding: Half-Cloth
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Printing: 1st Printing
• Condition: Near Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine

About this title

Synopsis

The story of the expeditions of Spanish explorers told through the history of the first American currency: pieces of eight.

Reviews

Walton, a historian and avid coin collector, states in the very first sentence, "This is a book about money." Walton chronicles Spain's exploitation of the mineral wealth of Latin America for over 300 years, showing how that wealth transformed the world financial markets. The treasure fleets transported silver and gold mined in Peru and New Spain in large convoys twice yearly to Europe and Asia. This silver, mainly in the form of eight real pieces (pieces of eight), was then circulated worldwide by trade, laying the groundwork for our precious metal-based economic system today. Walton focuses more on political and economic activites in Europe, only briefly mentioning the disastrous impact this system had upon the indigenous peoples. Extensive footnotes and detailed reading lists are supplied with each chapter. Armchair sailors who have read the works of C.S. Forester, Alexander Kent, or Dudley Pope will find this fascinating reading. Recommended for both academic and public libraries.
John Kenny, San Francisco, P.L.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.