The Silver of Potosí, 1580–1630

Potosí silver dominated Latin American silver production between 1580 and 1630, constituting nearly all of Peru's output during that period. The study reveals three primary export routes: illegal Pacific trade to New Spain and China, the Portobelo-Seville connection, and the Buenos Aires-Iberian Peninsula-Africa route. Peruleros, key agents in silver mobilization, played a crucial role in distributing this metal capital globally, particularly to China. Potosí emerged as both a major producer-distributor and a hub for international goods consumption, positioning it as a pivotal node in early economic globalization.

Bonialian, M. A. (2023). The Silver of Potosí, 1580–1630. Potosí in the Global Silver Age (16th—19th Centuries), 245–275. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004528680_008