Places to visit in Real de Catorce
Architecture

The Old Mint

The Old Mint
Architecture

The Old Mint

(444) 8245 173.

Juárez s/n , Centro, Real de Catorce, S.L.P.. 78550.

Free

Monday through Friday 09:00 am - 06:00 pm

Information

The Antigua Casa de Moneda was formerly called the Casa de la Maza. By the year 1773, the first vein of silver was discovered that was called "The Discoverer" found in a place called “ Los Catorce” or "The Fourteen". Due to the major mineral production from this area, the explorer Alexander von Humboldt during his travels in Mexico made mention to the Catorce as "the second or third highest silver producing mine” in New Spain.   The first coin from the Catorce mines was minted in 1808.  In December 1810, the insurgent Don Mariano Jimenez ordered the first interim silver coins to be minted, and between 1815 and 1823 copper coins called pages were produced here. Later, Santos de la Maza became associated with the Garcias and Cortina de Tampico, who had received permission from Benito Juárez to manage the SLP Mint and set up another mint in Real de Catorce. In 1863 Santos managed to acquire an available lot in front of the parish, that was used for dispensing coal, and building began in that same year. Machinery for the mint was imported from Philadelphia, and General Tomas Mejia applied for permission to finish and implement its service which began in January 1865.  The mint operated for only fourteen months when Maximilian ordered its closure for fear that General Juarez would seize it. During its time of operation, the mint coined 1,489,405 pesos. The Antigua Casa de Moneda of Real de Catorce serves today as the Casa de la Cultura, and displays various projects by national artists.  A highlight of the exhibits is the "Images of Time", composed of 29 works from the 2001 Collection Payment in Kind to the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit.  Another highlight is "The Real and Mineral Desert Magic" display which features 100 photographs from the personal albums of locals outlining their memories and history.

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Multimedia

Photo Gallery

Real de Catorce Cultural Center
Real de Catorce Cultural Center
Exhibition of contempory paintings by Mexican artists
Exhibition of contempory paintings by Mexican artists
Exhibition of antique black and white photographs
Exhibition of antique black and white photographs
Colonial Architecture
Colonial Architecture
Today it is the Cultural Center
Today it is the Cultural Center
Contacto

Location on map

(444) 8245 173.

Juárez s/n , Centro, Real de Catorce, S.L.P.. 78550.