Final answer:
The Aztecs strengthened their economy through tribute, trade, special celebrations, and public rituals. They did not trade in coffee as it was not present in the pre-Columbian Americas. The economic practices were complex and intertwined with their cosmology and social order.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Aztecs, a prominent Mesoamerican civilization, strengthened their economy through various means, including taxation, tribute collection, and extensive trade networks. However, contrary to one of the provided options, the sale of coffee was not part of the Aztec economy, as coffee was not a known commodity in the pre-Columbian Americas. Instead, their economic system was buoyed by the tribute system, where conquered provinces paid various goods as tribute, and by flourishing markets that traded in a diverse array of items from precious metals and foodstuffs to textiles and crafted wares. Moreover, the Aztecs hosted special celebrations and markets that were integral to their economic and religious practices, and these included performances such as public rituals that reinforced both the religious and political order.