Page:Vol 3 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/691

Rh same year, and copper money introduced. This latter innovation was almost ludicrous in its operation. The new pieces of despised copper were held in contempt by the natives, and they refused to receive them. They would sell their small articles of manufacture or a measure of maize for a few cacao beans, but not for an ill-shaped bit of copper with a mark on it. The circulation of the coin was, however, enforced by the viceroy. But though by stringent measures the Indian could be compelled to take in trade the objectionable medium, he could not be made to keep such a symbol of poverty, and he cast it from him. He threw it into the gutters and hurled it into the lake that it might never more be seen, and in a year or two the natives succeeded in getting rid of more than one hundred thousand pesos' worth of the offensive trash.

During the decade 1541 to 1550, more suitable denominations were put into circulation, but the amount coined does not appear to have been sufficient to meet the requirements of the increase in trade and commerce, and both Spaniards and Indians purchased goods with unstamped bullion and gold dust. This practice was prohibited by royal cédula of the 16th of