Treasure Ports & Spanish Currency

The Spanish Main was the empire of the Spaniards New World. They greatly valued this area of land that ran between the mouth of the Ornico River and the Isthmus of Panama. The Spanish created a trade route system and the Spanish Main eventually became the #1 destination for Spanish captains during their voyages in the Caribbean Sea.

Gold, silver, spices and other material of value were transported in and out of this area. This cargo was sent to Spain on huge ships called Galleons. Before heading to the motherland of Spain, these ships would make pit-stops in Spanish owned cities along the way.

One of the most well known ports that were used in the Spanish Main during the 1570's was Nombre De Dios. This city was the first European settlement on the Isthmus of Panama. The name of this city translates into "Name of God", and the reason behind this might be because of all the riches that flowed in and out of this port at the time. The Spanish would use this port for shipping gold, silver, fabrics, spices and all other types of items that had value.

The currency used around this time was Spanish Reales. Otherwise known as Pieces of Eight, which was equivalent to one Spanish dollar. These "Pieces of Eight" or Pesos were made of Silver and were commonly divided into eight pieces. Not to be confused with a Doubloon, which was a Spanish solid-gold coin called an Escudo.