What types of coins should go into a Time Capsule to be hidden in my new shed?

Longacre

You know the economy is bad when your very own Longacre has taken to swinging a hammer and building a shed himself, rather than hiring a small army to do it for him. As you know, I live in an undisclosed location in the leafy suburbs of Connecticut, and having a barn or shed on your property is like motherhood and apple pie. At a primal level, I also like the excessively liberal thought of inviting my friends over for a barn-raising party. The event will occur in mid-August if anyone is interested in helping.

I intend to close the wall up above the front door of the shed, and in it place a time capsule, containing some coins (not anything very rare, but something interesting for someone to find when I am mouldering in the dust some day).

I was thinking of the following:

(1) A 2009 proof set
(2) Some form of large cent (again, nothing incredibly valuable)
(3) A Connecticut quarter
(4) A cent from my birth year
(5) Some silver coin, such as a Morgan dollar
(6) A relevant newspaper article, or perhaps the front section of my local yokel newspaper


Does anyone have any thoughts on what would be interesting to include? How about some paper money, like the new $5 or something? Any other thoughts? This could be pretty interesting. For reference, attached are the architectural drawings, and the model that my friend built at his house.

Steve27

1) I would go with Mint set instead of proof set (any moisture will damage the proofs over time.
2) A whole local newspaper would be better than just an article.
3) A small bio on yourself and the Longacre clan (they might want to look-up your descendants).
4) How about a 1909 Lincoln to go along with the 2009 Lincolns in the Mint or proof set?

WoodenJefferson

We are about to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s stepping onto the surface of the Moon which occurred on July 20, 1969. An estimated 500 million people worldwide watched this event, the largest television audience for a live broadcast at that time.

I’m sure there will be a hard copy of this event somewhere.

Also, I have seen tokens/rounds with this event, get one of those mile stone trinkets. (course a silver round would not be considered a trinket)

Robb

It may or may not be possible but it's be cool to include a coin whose year of mint is the same as the house number. If that's not possible, maybe match the year that the house was built.

lcoopie

how about a dvd
with whatever you want to pass on
pictures of your coins, archives of your questions to the us coin forum, pcgs price guides
a greysheet or redbook

LanLord

How about a MCMVII ultra high relief St Gaudens and a matching MMIX UHR. Give people something to really talk about!

GrumpyEd

A jar of pocket change sealed in a few ziplock plastic bags. Include a few 2009 cents, a few wheats and a few silver coins.

FullStepJeffs

Put a 2009 nickel or dime roll in there... let's see what their worth in 50 years.

Steve

jsf

Strands of each family member's hair... dna, you know. Something in print that's environmentally noteworthy you've done, positive, for your neighborhood.


That's some house. What's that shiny, kind of gleaming look I detect. OH, that's rain! I'd forgot about that stuff.

Reminds me of my college study buddy's chicken shed he built. I'm waiting on him to put in the A/C and flush toilets.

anablep

<< <i>A jar of pocket change sealed in a few ziplock plastic bags. Include a few 2009 cents, a few wheats and a few silver coins. >>



I second that idea...

CoinJunkie

I'd probably go with a 2009 mint set over a proof set, and the most recent newspaper. Those are the only things
that really relate to the time of completion of the edifice. And a list of numismatic questions, of course...

renomedphys

A complete 1804 Mint Set

Then, tell us all where you live.

MrEureka

Bury a bucket of platinum eagles and call it a good start.

IGWT

House in Maine:



Shed in Connecticut:

jesbroken

How about we forum members contributing? I would be glad to send a coin or currency for your project as I am sure others would contribute.
Let me know your address if interested.
Jim

PrivateCoinCollector

A stella. Always timeless.

Longacre

<< <i>House in Maine:



Shed in Connecticut:

>>







Good one!

PQType

My father was a demolision contractor in the 50's through the 70's. We always found old coins and newspapers, and other things from that time period. But in the cornerstones it was always from things from the year of construction. Example the Belknap Church in NH was built in 1857 and 1858. We found 3 Flying Eagle Cents , 1 1857 and 2 different varieties of the 1858 in the corner stone in the mid 60's along with a lot dated material from the years it was constructed.

How about new rolls of 2009 coins and new 2009 bills, magazines newspapers from your home town and the best would be a hand written with your thought on events of 2009

Bcsican

Maybe you could stick yourself in that time capsule....

PerryHall

<< <i>Maybe you could stick yourself in that time capsule.... >>



Not a good idea.

Bcsican

<< <i>Not a good idea. >>



For us or them??

quickwing

2009 Lincoln Comm
1909 & 2009 Cents
CT State Quarter
Inexpensive coin with the date from your homes construction
Birthyear coins of Mom, Pop, & the litte Longacres
And a price sheet of 2009 values of these coins and above references of importance of each coins date

YaHa

I would put a few 1/4 ounce gold coins inside a bucket of cow dung.. Leave a map and a jingle so 50 years down the road if someone steals the contents of the time capsule, the finder/family will only know where the Gold really is.. Hell, Gold should be worth at least 10k a ounce then..

Overdate

A roll of Cheerios Sacs!

droopyd

<< <i>We are about to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s stepping onto the surface of the Moon which occurred on July 20, 1969.... I’m sure there will be a hard copy of this event somewhere. >>



NASA managed somehow to record over all of the original tapes from the first moon landing. On columnist likened it to a dopey husband videotaping a football game over a wedding video.

Fortunately they can recreate the tapes form other sources.

Longacre

In case you're following along, the sprinkling of numismatic treasures commenced this weekend. I set the footings (a buried stack of 12 inch blocks, 2 inches exposed) and under the footing at the front door, I put a bag with some common circulating coinage. I think that might be a neat find for someone someday, but I wonder if anyone will ever dig up blocks buried a foot deep. The main time capsule hidden in the shed will be more interesting.

Dentuck

Longacre, watch the mail for a roll of Mint State 1909 Barber quarters to add to your time capsule.

NightHawk

I'd add:

1 2009 mint set, double wrapped in zip lock bags.
1 CD/DVD with family photo's and maybe a short video from you saying hello from the grave.
1 Jar of mixed wheats/ silver. nothing rare just something to excite the G-G-G grandkids.
1 Semi key date coin from a series of your choosing. (give them something to REALLY talk about.)

Staircoins

The greysheet and 2009 redbook are both good ideas. It's always interesting to see what coin values were from long ago.

As for currency, there are some very interesting - and very affordable - Connecticut colonial/continental issues that would be quite appropriate. An obsolete or National banknote from the town (or one nearby) would also be a welcome and interesting find for those opening the time capsule. Feel free to PM me with a town name, and I'll be pleased to make some more specific recommendations.

RYK

<< <i>In case you're following along, the sprinkling of numismatic treasures commenced this weekend. I set the footings (a buried stack of 12 inch blocks, 2 inches exposed) and under the footing at the front door, I put a bag with some common circulating coinage. I think that might be a neat find for someone someday, but I wonder if anyone will ever dig up blocks buried a foot deep. The main time capsule hidden in the shed will be more interesting. >>



You keep saying "I", but I keep thinking "the manservant".

I think that you should include one of your lesser southern gold rarities (ie. something valued south of $10,000--one that you probably forgot you owned and would not miss.).

SeaEagleCoins

I suggest you just break down and simply put that 1913 Liberty Nickel you have "tucked away" ... after all, it only cost you a small pittance from your petty cash supply...

Mark

How about printing out a copy of this thread and including it among the other treasures?

Walmann

So future generations won't idealize the past too much.

JupitarCoins

I would put some gold coins in there. As jupitarcoins would say make sure you get the correct building permit.

lcoopie

use a vacuum sealer

cladking

<< <i>A jar of pocket change sealed in a few ziplock plastic bags. Include a few 2009 cents, a few wheats and a few silver coins.

>>



This sounds about right.

I'd be inclined to pull out all the heavily worn
and damaged coins to help be have a better
opion of this time.

Hey! I'm not even posting form my own com-
puter. Isn't technology smoething.

zap1111

I would think you could find a old 1785-88 Connecticut copper for under $50 that would really anchor the historical aspect of your endeavor. What a great idea. Good luck with it.
zap