Chemistry as a tool for historical research: Estimating the contraband of silver from Potosi and Oruro, 1576-1650

Guerrero, Saúl

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/127832 Copy

Description

Title

Chemistry as a tool for historical research: Estimating the contraband of silver from Potosi and Oruro, 1576-1650

Author(s)

Guerrero, Saúl

Issue Date

2012-09-15

Keyword(s)

• History
• Chemistry
• Silver contraband history

Abstract

This paper tested two approaches to detect and quantify contraband of silver during the period 1576-1650 coming out of the two main silver prodn. centers of this period in the Vice-Royalty of Peru, Potosi and Oruro. First, the variations of the mercury to silver wt. ratio were analyzed on the basis it is a factor detd. by the stoichiometry of the redn. of silver chloride to elemental silver and the prodn. of calomel from mercury, together with the extent of phys. losses of mercury during amalgamation. The second approach involves the estn. of the nominal prodn. capacity for a refining center, and therefore has the advantage that it does not rely on any set of prodn. data, either of mercury or of silver.

Publisher

Division of the History of Chemistry

ISSN

1053-4385

Type of Resource

text

Genre of Resource

article

Language

eng

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/127832

DOI

https://doi.org/10.70359/bhc2012v037p061

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2012 Division of the History of Chemistry

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