Why Was It Called a “Piece of Eight”? The Story Behind One of History’s Most Famous Coins
Why Was It Called a “Piece of Eight”? The Story Behind One of History’s Most Famous Coins Few old coins have a nickname as recognizable as the “piece of eight.” The phrase immediately brings to mind treasure chests, sailing ships, pirates, and maps marked with an X. Yet the name was not invented for adventure […]
Before the American Dollar: The Spanish Silver That Powered Early America
Before the American Dollar: The Spanish Silver That Powered Early America When most people picture the beginnings of American money, they imagine the first coins struck by the United States Mint. But for generations before a truly national coin supply existed, everyday commerce in North America depended on a mix of currencies from across the […]
