Mapuche silverwork

[4] Historian José Toribio Medina posits that most of the Mapuche gold adornments were despoiled by the Spanish during the conquest.

[3] Prior to the Destruction of the Seven Cities serving the Spanish in gold mining had been a deadly activity that killed many Mapuches.

[6][7] In this context of increasing trade, Mapuches began in the late 18th century to accept payments in silver coins for their products; usually cattle or horses.

[7] The foreign origin of most silver (liqen, lien, lighen) explains why there is scarcity of silver-related Mapuche placenames relative to those referring to gold (milla).

[11] This situation led some Mapuches to sell their silver adornments in the towns of La Frontera to obtain food.