Mexican Mint facts for kids
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| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 11 May 1535 |
| Jurisdiction | Federal government of Mexico |
| Headquarters | Mexico City |
| Employees | 1,845 (2006) |
| Agency executive |
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| Parent agency | Secretariat of Finance and Public Credit |
| Website | www.cmm.gob.mx |
The Mexican Mint (known in Spanish as La Casa de Moneda de México) is where Mexico makes its official coins. It is the oldest mint in all of the Americas. This means it was the first place to make coins in North and South America.
History of the Mexican Mint
The Mexican Mint was started a long time ago, on May 11, 1535. A Spanish leader named Antonio de Mendoza helped create it. He was the viceroy, which means he was like a governor for the King of Spain in the new lands. The King of Spain gave permission for this mint to be built.
First Coins in the Americas
This mint was the very first one in the Americas. It was built in Mexico City. The building was even placed on top of an older Aztec structure. This was the "Black House" where the Aztec emperor Moctezuma used to think quietly.
The mint became very important. It made silver coins called "eight-real coins." Later, it made the Mexican peso. These coins were used a lot in the Americas and in Asia for hundreds of years. They were so popular that they helped create the money systems for many countries. For example, the United States dollar, the Japanese yen, and the Chinese yuan were all influenced by these Mexican coins.
Modern Operations
Today, the Mexican Mint still makes coins. Since 1983, all coins are made in a city called San Luis Potosí. The old building in Mexico City where the mint used to be is now a museum. It is called the Museo Nacional de las Culturas.
The main customer for the Mexican Mint is the Bank of Mexico. This bank uses the mint to produce all the coins that people use every day. The current director of the mint is Guillermo Hopkins Gamez. He also helps lead a big group of mint directors from around the world.
See also
In Spanish: Casa de Moneda de México para niños
- Bullion
- Bullion coin
- Dos Pesos gold coin
- Mexican peso
