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Wednesday, January 22, 2025

1/22/25 Report - The Failed Cuzco Mint. Subterranean Passages Found. Civil War Research Resources. Higher Surf.

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of the Treasure Beaches Report.


Huge Ancient Inca Underground Labyrinth Discovered Beneath Cusco, Starting At Sun Temple.

After centuries of rumor and speculation, archaeologists have finally confirmed the existence of a colossal underground tunnel system beneath the Peruvian city of Cusco. Built by the ancient Inca, the labyrinth – or Chincana – radiates outwards from the Temple of the Sun, extending for more than a mile towards a fortress on the edge of the city. 

The discovery was announced at a press conference during which researchers explained how they located the subterranean passages in three stages. The first of these involved studying historical texts from the 16th to 18th centuries in search of references to the Chincana and its whereabouts.

Among the most enlightening accounts was one written by an anonymous Spanish Jesuit in 1594, who explained that the main tunnel ran beneath the bishop’s houses behind Cusco Cathedral. The same text indicated that the passageway began at the Temple of the Sun – or Coricancha – and ended at the citadel of Sacsahuaman, some 1.75 kilometers (1.1 miles) away.


Cuzco was authorized to establish a gold mint in 1683 and 1684, but for political and financial reasons, Cuzco was not able to start building a mint until of May of 1697. A year later, with personnel and equipment borrowed from Lima, and dies cut in Lima, Cuzco reported itself ready to strike gold coins, though the mint building itself was far from complete. In June or July Cuzco struck its first coinage, reporting this to Lima in August. Soon thereafter civil unrest broke out in Cuzco, apparently triggered by a mint guard’s assault on a woman, and mint was closed. Late in the year the mint was able to re-open to accomplish two emissions (“dos labores”) that likely represent the bulk of the 1698 gold coinage. In the first half of 1699 the mint was still mostly open, staffed by whom we wonder, but apparently receiving and issuing little or no gold. In August a decision was reached to close the mint, the just completed mint building having been sold to private interests. A small final quantity of gold on hand was minted in September or October, and the Cuzco mint ceased to exist. Gold struck at Cuzco in 1699 apparently used uncorrected 1698 dies. All Cuzco gold bears the assayer’s initial M. It is possible that this is the Lima assayer Melgarejo, but in an autobiographical deposit in 1727, Melgarejo does not mention any service in Cuzco. Also it is very unlikely Melgarejo would have remained available to Cuzco into 1699 or even late 1698. Since most of the assay work for the Cuzco coinage was likely done at the Cuzco foundry, and not at the uncompleted mint, a better candidate for assayer M is the foundry assayer Morocho.

Here is that link.

the Cuzco gold mint 1698-99 Archives - Spanish Colonial Gold & Silver Coins

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One of many Civil War Images from SonsoftheSouth.net Site.
See link below.

Here is a really good web site that provides access to a broad range of resources for historical research on the Civil War.   For example, you will find the contemporary Harper's Weekly issues describing the progress of the war.

Here is the link.

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/

I do find it a little difficult to navigate but there is a lot of fascinating information there.

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Fun to watch the misinformation machine go into full overdrive again with all the laughable hair-on-fire laughable claims and statements.

 Stupid never learns.  That is why it is stupid.  


Favorite stooges quote of the day: “I’m tryin’ to think, but nothing happens!”  


But seriously folks, the Bidens, as well as the entire Biden staff are the politest people I've ever seen.  They always say, "Pardon me."

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Source: Surfguru.com.

I heard the wind come through a little after eleven last night.  It has been cool and drizzling.

As you can see, the surf is up and there is a north wind.

I didn't get out to take a look yet, but I'd expect some erosion.

Good hunting,

Treausreguide@comcast.net