This is a beautiful book. This is the first time I have ever used that adjective to describe a book. Old Manila 2nd Edition by Carlos L. Quirino is edited byMaria de Castro as the second edition to the original book Maps and Views of Old Manila by Quirino which was published in 1971 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of theCity of Manila.

There are 18 essays in the book.

The fifth essay is "Making a Living in Ancient and Spanish Manila." It traced the evolution of this city from subsistence farming to hacienda crops and finally to being anAsian maritime center with the advent of the galleon trade. It also traces the evolution of currency from barter trading to dependence on the Mexican silver coin to the firstPhilippine minted coins beginning 1861.

To read the complete article, see:
Memories of Old Manila(https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2020/01/12/1984044/memories-old-manila)

For more information, see:
Old Manila (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36425659-old-manila)