Coins, privileges and taxes: The 'Diputación' of Aragon and the imperial route of precious metals (1516-98)

Abstract

Through one case study, this article shows that regional and royal institutions could agree in historic territories some measures that did help the building of the fiscal State and the operation of markets in early modern Spain. Although this policy was against regional laws and reduced its incomes, the Diputación of Aragon allowed the Spanish monarchy the tariff-free transit of its assets through this kingdom between 1516 and 1598. The monarchy could send gold and silver coins to Italy in order to finance its military and diplomatic activities in Europe at lower cost, thus increasing monetary flows in this continent. In return, the Diputación asked the monarchy not to endorse properties of merchants, clergymen or nobles as royal assets. This agreement allowed the Diputación to set up stricter controls regarding royal assets in order to suppress these frauds from particulars, especially since 1566. However, the decreasing power of the Diputación and lesser cooperation of the monarchy reduced these controls and prompted frauds during the last decade of the 16^th century.