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The contrasting themes and traditions in Classical and Baroque Sculpture

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SILVER MINING

The silver economy (even though inflation occurred) soon boomed and established a direct route from the Americas to Spain.

Silver produced profits for private investors and revenues for the crown. In fact, the Spanish crown kept a fifth of the production for itself, which was known as quinto.

This silver helped Spanish kings finance a powerful army and bureaucracy, but also helped European and larger world economies by repaying foreign bankers and financing the import of items not produced in Spain.

Most American silver made its way across the Atlantic to Spain and markets throughout Europe, and from there European merchants traded it for silk, spices, and porcelain in the markets of Asia. Some silver even made its way to Asian markets.