arbiter
JournalsAccount

The mechanics of finance private: Genoese enterprises and market functions in Seville, 1460–1530

Andres Quiroz Mesa

Financial History Review2025https://doi.org/10.1017/s0968565025000046article
AJG 2ABDC B
Weight
0.50

Abstract

This article examines the financial strategies employed by Genoese businessmen in Atlantic Castile during the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries, focusing on the relative value of private enterprises. It reveals how the interplay between Castilian market characteristics and the unique financial culture of Genoese merchants predominantly supported short-term and transient economic ventures. These methods significantly reduced the need for centralised corporate structures and redundant accounting procedures, supported by a robust notarial system. Consequently, trading in securities and credit extensions became prominent features of this financial market. The research demonstrates that the widespread use of account money, credit and bills of exchange allowed Ligurians to engage in trade and access markets with flexibility and agility through quantitative and functional economic analyses. It also highlights the importance of various credit arrangements, such as loans, bills of trade, or IOUs, which extend beyond merely deferring payments.

Open via your library →

Cite this paper

https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1017/s0968565025000046

Or copy a formatted citation

@article{andres2025,
  title        = {{The mechanics of finance private: Genoese enterprises and market functions in Seville, 1460–1530}},
  author       = {Andres Quiroz Mesa},
  journal      = {Financial History Review},
  year         = {2025},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1017/s0968565025000046},
}

Paste directly into BibTeX, Zotero, or your reference manager.

Flag this paper

The mechanics of finance private: Genoese enterprises and market functions in Seville, 1460–1530

Flags are reviewed by the Arbiter methodology team within 5 business days.

Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.