Economic Dimension of Precious Metals, Stones, and Feathers: the Aztec State Society

Resumen

In the spring of 1519, Hernán Cortés and his band of Spanish conquistadores feasted their eyes on the wealth of an empire. While resting on the coast of Veracruz, before venturing inland, Cortés was presented with lavish gifts from the famed Aztec emperor Moctezuma II. While only suggestive of the vastness of imperial wealth, these presents included objects of exquisite workmanship fashioned of prized materials: gold, silver, feathers, jadeite, turquoise.