The Spanish discovered silver mines that powered the first global currency.

Evidence

But they discovered instead the richest silver mines in the world and began to mint the coins that would power the world’s first global currency. — Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects, 1138

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects, 1138
• XREF: connects to: The introduction of coinage enabled new forms of trade and trust in economic systems. — Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects, 426; Croesus established the first reliable currency, setting the gold standard. — Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects, 426; Potosí is synonymous with wealth in Spanish culture to this day. — Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects, 1240 (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• International trade led to the need for a global currency. #responds-to (0.65) — Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects, 1221