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Museum · Potosí, Potosí
Casa de la Moneda (Mint Museum)
The old mint of Potosí, built from 1753 to 1773, where colonial silver was coined; today it's a museum with mule-powered minting machines, coins, colonial painting and the Mascarón in the courtyard.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Casa de la Moneda (Mint Museum)
The Casa Nacional de Moneda occupies a whole block in downtown Potosí, one block from the Plaza 10 de Noviembre. The current building was constructed between 1753 and 1773 to replace an older mint, and the silver extracted from the Cerro Rico passed through here, turned into coins that circulated in Europe and Asia. Potosí's coin, the piece of eight, came to be accepted in much of the world.
The building has thick stone walls, arcaded courtyards and about 200 rooms. In the main courtyard is the Mascarón, a large smiling mask of uncertain origin, placed in 1865 and which became a symbol of the city. The tour shows the wooden rolling mills, enormous gears powered by mules that flattened the silver bars, and the smelting furnaces.
The museum gathers coins from all periods, from the colonial era to the republic, silver objects, weapons, minerals and a collection of colonial painting, including works by Melchor Pérez de Holguín, the leading painter of the Potosí school. There are also archaeology and city history rooms.
The visit is always guided, at fixed times, and takes about two hours. Groups run in Spanish and sometimes in English. The building is cold inside: bring a warm layer. Confirm opening times before you go.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 2 hours for the guided tour.
Best time
In the morning, at the first guided tour slot, or in the afternoon. The museum usually closes on Mondays. Check the times and the language of the tour before going.
How to get there
It's on Ayacucho street, one block from the Plaza 10 de Noviembre in downtown Potosí, a few minutes' walk from the central hotels.
Tip
Arrive before the start time to secure a spot in the group and bring warm clothing because the rooms are cold. Ask for the tour in English if you prefer.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Casa de la Moneda (Mint Museum)
What is the Mascarón?
It is the large smiling mask placed in the courtyard of the Casa de Moneda in 1865, of uncertain origin and meaning, which became a symbol of Potosí.
Is the visit guided?
Yes — always guided, at fixed times, and it takes about two hours. Confirm the times and the language before going.
What was the piece of eight?
It was the silver coin of eight reales minted in Potosí and in other Spanish mints, accepted across much of the world in the 17th and 18th centuries.