This 18th-century building has roots reaching back a century earlier, when it served as the home of the first Count of Santiago de la Laguna. It was later inherited by Spanish infantry colonel José de Urquiola, and eventually housed the last count, Don Miguel de Rivera Bernárdez, who authorized its transformation into a minting facility.

The mint was expanded in 1824 and 1831 until it occupied an entire city block and remained operational well into the 19th century. In 1905, it was shut down following the adoption of the gold standard under President Porfirio Díaz, which centralized all coin production in the Mexico City Mint.

From 1905 to 1912, it functioned as an Assay Office. In 1912, it became home to the School of Dentistry, and in 1987, the building was used by the Autonomous University of Zacatecas. In 1998, the State Department of Finance moved into the premises.

On September 7 (year not specified), the Zacatecano Museum was established by Federico Sescosse.