Potosí Silver Cobs
Potosi, Bolivia was the world's most productive mint for silver cobs due to the large amount of silver discovered in the 1500s. Despite being a remote and high-altitude location, a mint was established to process the silver. However, the silver barons who controlled the government took advantage of the unregulated environment, leading to a scandal and the recall of some shield-type cobs. A new design featuring pillars-and-waves was introduced in 1652 to improve the system and became a popular global design for over a century. The last cob was struck in Potosi in 1773 before being replaced by milled coins in 1767.
