National Mint of Xuvia facts for kids

The National Mint of Xuvia (also known as Casa de Moneda de Jubia in Spanish) was a special factory in Spain. It made copper coins for the country. This mint operated for many years, from 1812 until 1868.

Building the Mint

The mint was first set up in 1790. It was located in Xuvia, a small area near Ferrol in Spain. Back then, it was called the Fábrica Nacional de Cobrería. This means "National Copper Factory."

Its main job was to be a foundry. A foundry melts and shapes metal. This factory made copper plates. These plates were used to help build boats at the nearby shipyard in Ferrol.

Making Coins During War

Things changed when Spain was at war with France. This war was called the Peninsular War. During this time, the factory became a proper mint. It started making copper coins.

At that time, another important mint in Segovia was controlled by the French. That mint was making coins for Joseph Bonaparte, who was the French ruler of Spain. But the Xuvia mint was in Spanish territory. So, it made coins for the true Spanish king, Ferdinand VII of Spain.

First Coins and Changes

The very first coins from Xuvia were made in 1812. They were worth eight Spanish maravedís. Later, the mint also made coins worth two, four, and even one maravedí. The one-maravedí coin was first made in 1824.

After 1815, the Xuvia mint became less important. This happened because the Segovia mint started making coins for King Ferdinand VII again. By 1819, the Xuvia mint went back to its original job. It started making copper plates for ships in the Spanish Navy.

Coin production completely stopped between 1827 and 1835. During these years, the factory focused on making tin plates instead.

New Money and Closure

In 1848, Spain decided to use a new money system. This system used "decimal coinage," which means it was based on units of ten. The first coins for this new system were made in 1850.

On August 28, 1850, the Xuvia mint was told to finish making its last coins. The very last coins left the mint in September of that year. However, the mint did produce some coins between 1866 and 1868. These included coins of 1, ½, 2½, and 5 céntimos.

The mint finally closed for good in 1868. The Segovia mint also closed at the same time. In 1873, the Xuvia mint building was sold. It later became a factory that made textiles (like cloth).

What Remains Today

Today, the land around the old mint is covered by a thick forest of eucalyptus trees. There are also meadows and some industrial areas.

Some parts of the original mint building are still there. You can see a water wheel and a long canal. This canal is over 900 meters (about 2,950 feet) long. The main building itself is currently closed to visitors.

See also

In Spanish: Casa de Moneda de Jubia para niños