BOOK REVIEW: HISTORIA DE LA CASA DE MONEDA DE GUATEMALA 1731-1776

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V13 2010 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 13, Number 20, May 16, 2010, Article 8

I published my book on the Guatemala colonial Mint, titled "Historia de la Casa de Moneda de Guatemala 1731-1776" in a print run of 500 copies. Jorge Proctor (the renowned author of "The Forgotten Mint of Colonial Panama") was kind enough to send me this review, for publication in The E-Sylum.

Congratulations to Carlos on completing another well-researched book. Here's Jorge's review. -Editor

Guatemala, whose mint was founded in 1731, has had a long history in the field of Spanish Colonial numismatics. They once were thought to be the first mint established in Central America - a title now bestowed on Panama. But, Guatemala, nonetheless, has never lost its allure. In fact, the mint of Guatemala would become the most successful Spanish Colonial mint in Central America and the first to produce gold coins in this region.

With such a historic past, it is hard to believe that only a few researchers, such as the great Jos� Toribio Medina and Kurt Prober, ever occupied themselves with this mint. So its history, and mainly its early history, has remained mostly in obscurity for over 250 years.

But now, at last, a new breed of scholar, in the form of Carlos Jara Carlos Jara, has volunteered his time and efforts to tackle a task that might have seemed overwhelming for even the most experienced researcher, but not for Mr. Jara. Within the 449 pages of this new book, you will be able to follow an easy to read narrative that is so complete as to not leave anything to question or the imagination of the reader.

With in-depth details and historical analysis, profusely illustrated with images from important coin collections and century old coin catalogs, along with a documentary section that provides a mini personal archive of this mint, the author makes this book a must for numismatists, historians, researchers and the general public alike.

The book: �Historia de la Casa de Moneda de Guatemala 1731 � 1776� is bound to become an instant classic in the field of Spanish Colonial Numismatics.

Now the sale info: The book consists of two parts: a main book written in Spanish of 449 pages, hardbound on glossy paper, with the gold coins' catalog section in colour. Added to it is a 50 pages softbound booklet written in English, on glossy paper (in black and white), which is a summary of the main book.

The price is $115 for both, plus postage. The booklet cannot be sold alone. Shipment will start in early June, and they will be sent from Miami. Interested parties can contact clejara@yahoo.com or Alan Luedeking at alan@ludeca.com

Wayne Homren, Editor