1795 Sam Adams/Paul Revere Time Capsule to be Opened Today

keyman64

LINKY

I wonder how good the photos will be of the contents...I am guessing not so good. I wonder if we will even get a full list.

BustHalfBrian

Someone here needs to go to that museum in Boston and get some good pics for us!

keyman64

<< <i>Someone here needs to go to that museum in Boston and get some good pics for us! >>

I'm so glad you are volunteering Brian! Wooooohoooooooooooooooo!

MrHalfDime

Although the date shown on that link is today's date (January 6, 2015), it is actually old news, and has been posted here by a couple of forum members, including this one by Capt. Henway on December 12. It will be interesting to see the condition of the coins reported to be contained in the time capsule, as they were previously dug up in 1855, treated with acid, and reburied.

keyman64

<< <i>Although the date shown on that link is today's date (January 6, 2015), it is actually old news, and has been posted here by a couple of forum members, including this one by Capt. Henway on December 12. It will be interesting to see the condition of the coins reported to be contained in the time capsule, as they were previously dug up in 1855, treated with acid, and reburied. >>

All the threads from early/mid December spoke of the find and recovery of the time capsule. There was no report that I saw that mentioned when the heck they were going to open the time capsule and under what conditions....hence my post. As much as people may think, I have not been living under a rock. I believe this to be NEW news.

StrikeOutXXX

<< <i>

<< <i>Although the date shown on that link is today's date (January 6, 2015), it is actually old news, and has been posted here by a couple of forum members, including this one by Capt. Henway on December 12. It will be interesting to see the condition of the coins reported to be contained in the time capsule, as they were previously dug up in 1855, treated with acid, and reburied. >>

All the threads from early/mid December spoke of the find and recovery of the time capsule. There was no report that I saw that mentioned when the heck they were going to open the time capsule and under what conditions....hence my post. As much as people may think, I have not been living under a rock. I believe this to be NEW news. >>



It is current news - I think 6PM EST they open it or at least have the press conference telling what was in it - (Past stories and links just talked about the discovery) - look at the xray in this link - can't wait to see what they are.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/oldest-us-time-capsule-opened-today/story?id=28025479

telephoto1

That "treated with acid" statement makes my toes curl... I wonder if there will be any readable detail left...

StrikeOutXXX

I can't find a live feed, but the Museum's twitter feed is posting updates as they go.

https://twitter.com/mfaboston

Some pictures of the coins already out earlier:
https://twitter.com/hashtag/MFATimeCapsule?src=hash

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StrikeOutXXX

<< <i>Opening it now apparently. >>



Ugh - are we the only two watching this? 8-)

They got through the layer of coins from the 1800's, on another layer of newspaper, the "Older" original coins might be below this layer of newspaper.

They aren't saying what they are with too much certainty - a silver 3cent, a few large cents, heard "1853", and they mentioned a half cent a quar. dol and half dol and dime so far from the top layer.

Kyle

<< <i>They aren't saying what they are with too much certainty - a silver 3cent, a few large cents, heard "1853", and they mentioned a half cent so far from the top layer. >>


Someone just walked by and snapped a picture of the items in the box. I'm hoping those will be uploaded somewhere soon, so we can get an idea of the condition/dates on the coins.

kevinstang

Great they slowly remove them without showing them! You think they would have some kind of coin expert on hand who knew at least a little bit about them- the woman removing them seemed to know nothing about them. They knew in advance there were going to be many old coins.

StrikeOutXXX

1652 Pine Tree Shilling 8-)

Kyle

Just found some "1795 coins" and a 1652 pine tree shilling.

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Kyle

Some quick screencaps.





1652 Pine Tree Shilling

Overdate

Hoping for a roll or two of 1792 half dismes, First Strike eligible!

StrikeOutXXX

<< <i>Hoping for a roll or two of 1792 half dismes, First Strike eligible! >>



LOL, I'm surprised nobody's there to conserve and slab them 8-)

coinlieutenant

Watched it. Didn't have a numismatist in the room it seemed.

Saw a large planchet Pine Tree Shilling, that actually looked nice from afar.

Two or three mass cents and half cents, 1795 dollar that I couldn't see what the quality was...

Kyle

This was the last item pulled from the box.

coinlieutenant

They didn't show it...but talked about a "very small" 1795 coin.

Half dime?

coinlieutenant

Well...over now. Seems like they could have gotten a couple closeups. Will have to wait longer.

Either way, it was cool to see.

NumisOxide

<< <i>Some quick screencaps.





1652 Pine Tree Shilling

>>


The 3rd one looks like a Washington born Virginia cent!

TommyType

<< <i>

<< <i>Some quick screencaps.

>>


>>



That one looks like a Susan B. Anthony.....But I could be wrong.

Kyle

ms70

Wow. I can't wait to hear the details! I'm surprised the woman wasn't wearing a mask to prevent any accidental spray.

Justlooking

<< <i>

<< <i>Hoping for a roll or two of 1792 half dismes, First Strike eligible! >>



LOL, I'm surprised nobody's there to conserve and slab them 8-) >>



Indeed. A label that says, "First One Pulled From the Box" would add another $99,000 to the value!

Exciting event, to be sure.

TommyType

I found it interesting, (assuming I heard and understood correctly), that their intent is to document and stabilize all of the items, including the coins, and then return them to a similar time capsule. They will possibly add some contemporary pieces.

ms70

I think they should be in a museum for everyone to enjoy in awe. Sealing them again means that nobody except those with special privilege and maybe a few who can
take an opportunity of a limited time of public display will see them.

I wonder if the ANA will have an opinion?

TommyType

<< <i>I think they should be in a museum for everyone to enjoy in awe. Sealing them again means that nobody except those with special privilege and maybe a few who can
take an opportunity of a limited time of public display will see them.

I wonder if the ANA will have an opinion? >>



Part of me agrees with you...

But part of me says that these aren't unique items. And by putting them back into a time capsule makes them available for an "interesting" unveiling again in 50, or 100, or 150 years.

Heck, keeping the "chain of history" intact has to count for something?

And heck...following the same logic, someone could claim WE should take all of our coins out of safe deposit boxes, and put then on display for the world to enjoy! Owner gets to decide in the end....

keyman64

<< <i>I think they should be in a museum for everyone to enjoy in awe. Sealing them again means that nobody except those with special privilege and maybe a few who can
take an opportunity of a limited time of public display will see them.

I wonder if the ANA will have an opinion? >>

Agreed.

So I was correct in my guess...crappy photos and no full list. I wonder if we will ever get a proper list and proper photos of the items....or if they will say what they plan to do in order to "conserve" the items. A proper list of every item pulled would have been so freaking easy at the time that they pulled them. This stuff should be in the museum for everyone to enjoy.

StrikeOutXXX

<< <i>

<< <i>I think they should be in a museum for everyone to enjoy in awe. Sealing them again means that nobody except those with special privilege and maybe a few who can
take an opportunity of a limited time of public display will see them.

I wonder if the ANA will have an opinion? >>

Agreed.

So I was correct in my guess...crappy photos and no full list. I wonder if we will ever get a proper list and proper photos of the items....or if they will say what they plan to do in order to "conserve" the items. A proper list of every item pulled would have been so freaking easy at the time that they pulled them. This stuff should be in the museum for everyone to enjoy. >>



I hope the ANA reaches out to at least get a full inventory, high quality photos, study them for any unknown varieties and such.

They did say it would be awhile before they would get sealed back up and put back in the building, and they would be on display at the museum for awhile. I would rather they stayed on display full time rather than go back in the capsule though.

I'm sure a full list will come in the next few days though.

BustHalfBrian

Just saw a segment about this discovery on the local news. I believe I saw a 1652 shilling.

Kyle

<< <i>Just saw a segment about this discovery on the local news. I believe I saw a 1652 shilling. >>


Yeah, there was a 1652 Shilling. I posted some pictures of it from the live stream on page 1.

Kyle

Found some more pictures of the coins.

Cocoinut

It was kind of a letdown to see Seated Liberty coins in the group, and the condition they were in. I had hoped for nothing later than 1795, but apparently the capsule was opened (in the 1850's?) and additional coins were put in. It may be possible to conserve the silver coins, but judging from their appearance, there was some corrosion. I doubt that any copper coins would be considered gradeable by a TPG.

At least it was better than Geraldo Rivera's opening of Al Capone's vault.

Jim

Icollecteverything

Thanks for all the pics.

Zoins

<< <i>The large number of copper coins inside might have helped protect the artifacts, she said, since copper helps block the growth of fungus. >>



Good use of copper coins in the time capsule.

pcgs69

too bad they didn't wrap those seated coins in a napkin back in the day, but then we'd all moan that they were AT

Bodin

My guesses, as crazy as they may be are based on what I can make out:

1792 Washington President Cent. I'll guess Breen-1228



"1652" Pine Tree Shilling Noe-2 because the left half looks more leaf/branch heavy.



And as crazy as it doesn't make sense, as this time capsule was last opened in 1855, This coin sure looks like 1882 $1 J-1702

Zoins

What coins should be added when they reseal the capsule?

TommyType

<< <i>What coins should be added when they reseal the capsule? >>



About the only sure bet might be a Massachusetts quarter? Maybe a 2015 coin set...either proof or mint set? Those would be in keeping with the flavor of what the previous additions were.

Overdate

<< <i>What coins should be added when they reseal the capsule? >>


How about one of the 5 oz. ATB silver quarters?

It will show how much more intrinsic value is in our coins today compared to when the nation was founded.

BAJJERFAN

<< <i>That "treated with acid" statement makes my toes curl... I wonder if there will be any readable detail left... >>



Dippity doo dah!

19Lyds

<< <i>

<< <i>I think they should be in a museum for everyone to enjoy in awe. Sealing them again means that nobody except those with special privilege and maybe a few who can
take an opportunity of a limited time of public display will see them.

I wonder if the ANA will have an opinion? >>



Part of me agrees with you...

But part of me says that these aren't unique items. And by putting them back into a time capsule makes them available for an "interesting" unveiling again in 50, or 100, or 150 years.

Heck, keeping the "chain of history" intact has to count for something?

And heck...following the same logic, someone could claim WE should take all of our coins out of safe deposit boxes, and put then on display for the world to enjoy! Owner gets to decide in the end.... >>

well, for the small matter that "resealing" them means they'll have to be either put back, in which case everybody and his brother now knows that they do in fact exist (read Target) and they have to have some type of 24 hour protection in place OR they'll simply get stored on a shelf in the museum.

I REALLY hate to say it but with today's technologies and today's greed soaked environment, the provenance on these coins make them worth millions regardless of how common they might be and that makes for a fairly LARGE target for the unscrupulous!

I now, I know, party pooper.........

epcjimi1

A closer look at the pine tree -

vans1

According to the Aug. 17, 1855, issue of the Barre Patriot, Barre, Mass., found in the box when it was opened then were two Massachusetts cents and half cents of 1787 and 1788; U.S. cents of 1793 and 1794; a New Jersey cent of 1787; “an old halfpenny of the time of George the Second”; a U.S. half dollar and half dime of 1795; a Pine Tree shilling “of the currency established in Massachusetts in 1652”; and “a copy of a small medal struck in England in 1794 in honor of Washington,” bearing head and bust of Washington and the inscription, “George Washington, born Virginia, Feb. 11, 1732.” The article said that the coins were still in good shape, and were transferred to a new box along with some newspapers and copper and silver coins of 1855.

It also detailed the inscription found upon the original time capsule as placed there by Adams, Revere and others:

“‘This corner stone of a building, intended for the use of the Legislative and Executive branches of the Government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, was laid by His Excellency, Samuel Adams, Esq., Governor of said Commonwealth, assisted by the most Worshipful Paul Revere, Grand Master, and the Right Worshipful William Scollay, Deputy Grand Master, the Grand Wardens and Brethren of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, on the 4th day of July, A.D. 1795, A.L. 5795. Being the XXth anniversary of American Independence.’”

Bob V.R.

MrHalfDime

"As much as people may think, I have not been living under a rock. I believe this to be NEW news."

I in no way meant to imply that keyman64 was living under a rock, or that his link was not newsworthy. I offer him my most humble apology. I merely meant to call other's attention to the previous thread.

Indeed, had it not been for keyman64's new thread, I would have completely missed last night's historic streaming video of the opening of the time capsule. What a thrill that must have been, to be present at the opening. It does seem to me, however, that the event lacked a bit of planning and organization. They had X-ray images of the contents of the capsule before they opened it, so there was really no reason to fool around quite so long looking for boxes to place the coins and other items in. Or, if in doubt, couldn't the Commonwealth of Massachusetts spring for a few extra boxes to have on hand? And ms70's comment about wearing a face mask while talking over the treasures was a good one, to avoid damage from spittle. And why wasn't there a numismatist present in the room? Lots of questions, but an historic event nonetheless.

Overdate

<< <i>It also detailed the inscription found upon the original time capsule as placed there by Adams, Revere and others:

“‘This corner stone of a building, intended for the use of the Legislative and Executive branches of the Government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, was laid by His Excellency, Samuel Adams, Esq., Governor of said Commonwealth, assisted by the most Worshipful Paul Revere, Grand Master, and the Right Worshipful William Scollay, Deputy Grand Master, the Grand Wardens and Brethren of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, on the 4th day of July, A.D. 1795, A.L. 5795. Being the XXth anniversary of American Independence.’” >>


I calculate 19th anniversary. Or did they calculate anniversaries differently back then?

vans1

All versions I saw had 20th anniversary in the stories -- two had it written out as "20th." The other had "XXth."

garrynot

That Pine Tree Shilling is awesome. Interesting to note that they did not look any better in 1795 than they do now!

It's too bad there were not a couple 1794 dollars in there.