Photos By Date| Potosí: Highest City in the World | 1 | 2 |
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Casa Real de la Moneda — Ancient coin pressing machinery dating back to the mid-1700s, and imported from — of all places — Philadelphia. The spoked wheels all turn together, and force the turning of a central spindle that drops down to the floor below and presses the coin. |
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Casa Real de la Moneda — A chest from the 1700s used by the Spanish to transport treasures. The complexity of the locking system is amazing. With twelve interlocking mechanisms, there was no way this chest was being pried open. The chest was fitted with several "fake" locks, that if used would jam the entire system. Only one keyhole would open it, and even then, it would only open if the key was turned multiple times, in a certain way. It wouldn't surprise me to know that most Spaniards couldn't figure out how to get it open after they filled it up. |
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Casa Real de la Moneda — Clay pots used for collecting and pouring different liquid metals during the minting process. |
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Casa Real de la Moneda — Turn-of-the-century horse-drawn buggy, part of an exhibit that includes the first locomotive used in Bolivia, the first steam engines, and some of the largest conveyor systems I've ever seen. |
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Casa Real de la Moneda — Now entering the realm of "why is this in the mint?", a collection of pre-Columbian artifacts fills one room, including a whole slew of Hamlet props. Quite an intimidating way to end the tour...right before asking for additional donations, no less. |
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