Handbook for translators of Spanish historical ... - University Library

HANDBOOK FOR TRANSLATORS OF SPANISH HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
ue of $4.85 paper money to one gold escudo . from 1537
to 1771.
Likewise, I have made use of the hypothesis that
silver continued to fall in value with relation to gold,
from 1:1.11 which it had at the end of the XV century
to the maximum of 1:17 reached during the first independent
government (Of Argentina] . Likewise I have made
use of gold value in relation to copper coins. For the
reasons given ahove, I "believe that these bases pennit
one to obtain results which are amply practical. I have
not made use of fractions of smaller denomination than
one centavo because I think there are chances of making
major errors-
For facility in exposition, I have divided the
tables into various periods, corresponding to as many
important changes in the monetary system. They are
arranged in twelve groups, in which these dates are included;
Years 1492-1537
1537-1566
1567-1608
1609-1642
1642-1686
1686-1728
Years 1728-1737
1737-1771
1772-1811
1812-1862
1862-1881
1882-19283
Since the equivalent values of coins used prior to the
year 1492, as given in the lists below, were obtained by a
tortuous method and in a manner not altogether satisfactory,
they may be used only with caution. Nevertheless, these
values are useful in determining the comparative worth of
personal or real property. The fine weight of silver or
gold of certain coins was ascertained, and their equivalent
value was found by giving the pure gold or silver its equivalent
value in United States currency for 1936. It was
found that in Jsuauary, 1936, the Spanish peseta, which con-
^Juan Alvarez, Temas de Historia Icon(5inica Argentina!
Equivalencia actual de las monedas usadas en el terr itorio
argentino (1492-1928) , pp. 31, 35.
-96-