La fuerza de la ley y el asilo de la costumbre. Un proceso por fraudes y abusos en la Real Casa de Moneda de México

This article deals with fraud charges levied in 1729 against the officers of the Royal Mint of Mexico and major silver traders of New Spain, the proceedings for which lasted over ten years and led to a severe institutional crisis. The events studied provide an insight into institutional situations and industrial processes that are not usually mentioned in the documentation and a better understanding of the dominant role of merchants. They also allow comment on the meaning of legal procedure and the reforms promoted by the Crown in its relations with American vassals