Unveiling the mystery box

Nap · October 5, 2017 4:30AM

First off, thanks to @Outhaul for this neat giveaway. https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/987212/
The idea of a mystery is always a thrill, and the fact that he was as in the dark about its contents as us makes it even more interesting. Thus I have to apologize for the time it took me to get to making this post, as work and home life has just been draining me. Sorry to make you wait. Without further ado...

The box arrived last week. What untold treasures could be inside??

The first thing noticeable was the box's heft. and its nice packaging:

There are obviously some books in here, and I'll get to those last. First, the other pieces:

Memorabilia from the Seattle World's fair in 1962:

1962 was a while before I was born, and I've never been to Seattle. But the idea of a world's fair with its obvious focus on space exploration and technology certainly captured the feeling for a decade that would see outstanding progress. And I imagine the promoters and attendees can be forgiven for not forseeing the social and political events that would end up, more than technology even, defining the 1960s. The space needle, built for this event, still stands of course and is one of the defining features of Seattle's image (in the same way that the Unisphere and observatory towers in Flushing, New York from the World's fair a few years later define the landscape of Queens)

Next are these shop tokens:

Next is this George Washington medal:

Commemorating the retaking of Boston in 1776. Though not commemorized in the way other Revolutionary War events are, the British retreat from Boston was a huge psychologic boon to the fledgling United States. Even if it militarily wasn't that important to winning the war, and the conflict just moved elsewhere where armies could manouever, Boston was the place where the war started and meant quite a bit to the colonists.

This medal appears to be a pewter or white metal reproduction of an earlier medal struck in Bronze in the early 19th century.

Finally, this coin:

I have never owned a trade dollar, and my knowledge of the series is limited, but I am pretty certain this coin is a counterfiet. It's a rare date and would be worth quite a bit if genuine. The question is of course, why is it holed? To prevent its sale to unknowledgeable collectors? To efface a place where the word "COPY" was stamped? For target practice of a (very) small caliber pistol? For target practice of a drill press?

Now, the books!
I won't kill the bandwith by posting pictures of Red Books, most know what they look like. There were 3 copies of 1963 RedBook (must've been a good year) as well as one from 1968, and this special edition from 2002:

Next is this book on commemorative coins:

And this from R.S. Yeoman:

Lastly, this book on the Brother Jonathan, one I don't have and am looking forward to reading:

That's all, except of course the box, which the cat loves as all cats do:

Thanks again Outhaul for the giveaway (and for your patience)!

Timbuk3 · October 5, 2017 4:45AM

Wow, sweet, congratulations !!!

astrorat · October 5, 2017 4:58AM

Very nice! Congratulations!

ldhair · October 5, 2017 5:09AM

That's cool. Pretty kitty.

TLeverage · October 5, 2017 5:09AM

Yes, the Trade Dollar is counterfeit. Can't remember Liberty having a pig snout.

ms70 · October 5, 2017 5:11AM

Glad the cat made it there ok. It must've been starving!

oih82w8 · October 5, 2017 5:26AM

I thought maybe @ThePennyLady highjacked the thread and put "Penny" in the box. When I see cats in coin threads I think of Charmy.

Nice giveaway box!

Batman23 · October 5, 2017 5:28AM

Great post! Congrats!

thebeav · October 5, 2017 5:28AM

Nice unveiling.....and very nice give-away !

Outhaul · October 5, 2017 6:11AM

Thanks for the terrific unveiling!

That T$ is, indeed, a counterfeit. The hole was drilled to accommodate a key ring.
The Brother Jonathan book is autographed by the author with a dedication.

Wow, I had totally forgotten about all that stuff!

Enjoy your winnings!

Cheers

Bob