英语听力精选进阶版 11467（在线收听）

080 Pieces of Eight 24 Sept 2010

Fri, 24 Sep 10

15th Century silver coins. Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, examines pieces of eight - rough silver coins that were to become an international currency as Spain's trade with the world grew in the 15th and 16th centuries. He describes Spain's dominance in South America and the discovery of a silver mountain in Potosi in present day Bolivia. With a contribution by historian William Bernstein.