Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important source of dietary protein and minerals worldwide. Genes conditioning variability for mineral contents are not clearly understood. Our ultimate goal is to identify genes conditioning genetic variation for Zn and Fe content. To establish mapping populations for this objective, we tested mineral content of 29 common bean genotypes. Chemical analyses revealed significant genetic variability for seed Zn and Fe contents among the genotypes. Genetic diversity was evaluated with 49 primer pairs, of which 23 were simple sequence repeats (SSR), 16 were developed from tentative consensus (TC) sequences, and 10 were generated from common bean NBS-LRR gene sequences. The discriminatory ability of molecular markers for identifying allelic variation among genotypes was estimated by polymorphism information content (PIC) and the genetic diversity was measured from genetic similarities between genotypes. Primers developed from NBS-LRR gene sequences were highly polymorphic in both PIC values and number of alleles (0.82 and 5.3), followed by SSRs (0.56 and 3.0), and markers developed from TC (0.39 and 2.0). genetic similarity values between genotypes ranged from 14.0 (JaloEEP558 and DOR364) to 91.4 (MIB152 and MIB465). Cluster analysis clearly discriminated the genotypes into Mesoamerican and Andean gene pools. Common bean genotypes were selected to include in crossing to enhance seed Zn and Fe content based on genetic diversity and seed mineral contents of the genotypes.