<< <i>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. >>
Thanks goodness for the reporting of 1855 because the reporting of 2015 SUCKS! It is just pathetic. There is no excuse not to have better photos and reporting of what was in the box. Hopefully by the time they put this stuff in the ground again, preventing all but the privileged few from viewing, maybe we will have a full list, good photos, the newspapers converted to PDF and the full details of everything else, including their conservation efforts.
"If it's not fun, it's not worth it." - KeyMan64 Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
One thing that has not been mentioned much is that this box was left as part of a Masonic ritual.
Part of Paul Revere's remarks:
"May we my Brethren, so Square our Actions thro life as to shew to the World of Mankind, that we mean to live within the Compass of Good Citizens that we wish to Stand upon a Level with them that when we part we may be admitted into that Temple where Reigns Silence & peace"
Should have been opened on July 4th of this year instead. Very neat history in any case and plenty of numismatic wonders in there. I love history that you can see, touch, interact with. Too many people, myself included, were taught history happened a long time ago and isn't very relevant to today. Too many people think history is something you read in a book. The historical aspect of this hobby is part of what appeals to me. I touch the coins (if they're raw) or look at them through the plastic. There is still an interaction that takes place. If coins could talk. . .
And if those time capsule coins could talk, wow. Their last 220 years haven't been quite so interesting to them perhaps.
I have existed since the creation of this world and will exist until its end. Only my form will change. For these 80 human life years, I have the benefit of having a functioning body and consciousness. I will not waste this opportunity.
You would think this was a fairly important event for Boston's Museum of Fine Art. Nothing about it on their website home page. If you dig into the "news and events" listing you'll find it.
Comments
<< <i>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. >>
Thanks goodness for the reporting of 1855 because the reporting of 2015 SUCKS! It is just pathetic. There is no excuse not to have better photos and reporting of what was in the box. Hopefully by the time they put this stuff in the ground again, preventing all but the privileged few from viewing, maybe we will have a full list, good photos, the newspapers converted to PDF and the full details of everything else, including their conservation efforts.
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
https://imdb.com/name/nm1835107/
<< <i>
<< <i>That "treated with acid" statement makes my toes curl... I wonder if there will be any readable detail left... >>
Dippity doo dah! >>
that pine tree looks pretty inviting
Looks like there's a flowing hair half dollar in there and the 1795 half dime mentioned earlier.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Part of Paul Revere's remarks:
"May we my Brethren, so Square our Actions thro life as to shew to the World of Mankind,
that we mean to live within the Compass of Good Citizens that we wish to Stand upon a Level
with them that when we part we may be admitted into that Temple where Reigns Silence & peace"
The Mysterious Egyptian Magic Coin
Coins in Movies
Coins on Television
And if those time capsule coins could talk, wow. Their last 220 years haven't been quite so interesting to them perhaps.
Boston's MFA