casa de moneda
Lemma Details
Translation: mint; currency house; coinage facility
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: The term 'casa de moneda' is a compound noun in Spanish, literally meaning 'house of coin/money'. It comes from 'casa' (house, from Latin 'casa' meaning hut or cottage) and 'moneda' (coin, from Latin 'moneta', which was a title of the goddess Juno, in whose temple coins were minted in ancient Rome). The concept parallels the English term 'mint', though the Spanish expression more explicitly describes the function as a building dedicated to currency production.
Commonality: 40%
Guessability: 60%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
La Casa de Moneda de México es la más antigua de América.
The Mexican Mint is the oldest in the Americas.
Visitamos la casa de moneda durante nuestra excursión a la capital.
We visited the mint during our trip to the capital.
La casa de moneda emite billetes y monedas de curso legal.
The mint issues legal tender bills and coins.
Mnemonics
- Think of a 'house' (casa) where 'money' (moneda) is made.
- Visualize a building with coins coming out of it like a factory.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
The 'casa de moneda' has significant historical importance in Spanish-speaking countries, especially in colonial Latin America where Spain established mints to process gold and silver from the New World. The Casa de Moneda de México, established in 1535, is the oldest mint in the Americas. These institutions often appear in historical contexts and discussions about national sovereignty and economic history.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'casa de moneda' refers to a facility that produces currency (a mint), 'casa de cambio' refers to a currency exchange office where people can exchange one currency for another.
Notes: Both terms relate to currency, but with different functions: production versus exchange.
Mnemonic: 'Moneda' refers to coins being made, while 'cambio' refers to exchange/changing of existing currency.