Information about mint: Granada Mint

Granada is an old city in Spain where coins were minted as early as the 3rd century BC, by local tribes. In the Visigothic times, coinage was issued there from the reign of Recaredo I to that of Witiza (586 - 702).

Granada was later conquered by the Muslims. After the seizure of Granada in 1492 by Spain, it was considered useful to establish a mint in the city - probably motivated by the need to mint coins to pay the troops, and the desire to show the incorporation of the Kingdom of Granada into the Crown of Castile.

The Mint of Granada was granted its status on 23 February 1492, but it was probably not until 1497 that it became fully operational.

The Mint was placed in a building known as the Maristan, built by Mohamed V between 1365 and 1367 as a hospital for the mentally ill. The lack of Christians who knew the trade of coinage, meant that many of the workers, and even some of the officers, were Moors. This situation was effective until 1512, year that by Royal Decree of 10 November provides that no new converted Moor or Jew can work as a minter or official of the Mint. This provision, although it maintains its legal character, did not have immediate practical application, since, in fact, the Moors continue to serve these offices, as recognized in a Royal Decree of 1541.

The Mint initially struck copper in values of blanca, 2 and 4 maravedis; in silver - the full range: 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2 and 4; and also some denominations in gold. After 1600, a decline of the silver and gold work began, with large quantities of copper and billon coins minted instead. In 1661 the mint was fitted with hydraulic wheels, emulating those that the Segovia Mint had since 1585.

The Granada mint also participated in the reissue of copper coinage during the reign of King Philip IV. The last coin was dated 1685; this must have been the last time the House in Granada worked, although in 1688 the treasurer was authorized to work on silver and copper - but it seems that he did not. The mint was probably dismantled at the end of the 17th or beginning of the 18th century.

The Granada Mint used the letter G as mint mark.