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Book Review: Coinosarus's Treasure in the Cellar
RYK
Posts: 35,801 ✭✭✭✭✭
I must confess that I was not entirely enthusiastic about reading Len Augsberger's (aka Coinosaurus) book entitled, "Treasures in the Cellar". The story of two poor boys finding a hoard of gold coins in Depression-era Baltimore seemed, well, depressing.
Boy, was I wrong. Len does a terrific job weaving history, numismatics, law, and lore, backed by extensive research to spin a masterful tale. As the story goes, two poor boys find a sizable accumulation of gold coins from 1834 through 1856 (including the mega-coin, an 1856-O $20) in the basement of a slum in Baltimore in 1934. Naturally, the coins change their fortunes, along with those of their families, forever, but in ways which are not entirely expected. The book deals a lot with the legal challenges for ownership of the coin, which are indeed complex, but fascinating. There are twists and turns in the story line, and while you never know exactly what is going to happen in the end (and I am not going to tell you
), a Hollywood ending never really seems in the cards.
Len has a polished, professional writing style that is very smooth and readable. The research goes deep and touches upon many aspects of the history of the City of Baltimore from the early 1800's through the Depression. Despite that the subject is relatively esoteric, anyone who enjoyed Tripp's Illegal Tender or Frankel's Double Eagle (both written about the 1933 Saint) would find this book to be equally pleasing.
Since we all know Len via the forum, I put this book on the required reading list for forumites, even with the little swipe he takes at slabbed coins on page 95.
Great job, Len. I know you worked very hard on this, and the product certainly reflects it.
Boy, was I wrong. Len does a terrific job weaving history, numismatics, law, and lore, backed by extensive research to spin a masterful tale. As the story goes, two poor boys find a sizable accumulation of gold coins from 1834 through 1856 (including the mega-coin, an 1856-O $20) in the basement of a slum in Baltimore in 1934. Naturally, the coins change their fortunes, along with those of their families, forever, but in ways which are not entirely expected. The book deals a lot with the legal challenges for ownership of the coin, which are indeed complex, but fascinating. There are twists and turns in the story line, and while you never know exactly what is going to happen in the end (and I am not going to tell you
), a Hollywood ending never really seems in the cards.Len has a polished, professional writing style that is very smooth and readable. The research goes deep and touches upon many aspects of the history of the City of Baltimore from the early 1800's through the Depression. Despite that the subject is relatively esoteric, anyone who enjoyed Tripp's Illegal Tender or Frankel's Double Eagle (both written about the 1933 Saint) would find this book to be equally pleasing.
Since we all know Len via the forum, I put this book on the required reading list for forumites, even with the little swipe he takes at slabbed coins on page 95.
Great job, Len. I know you worked very hard on this, and the product certainly reflects it.
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Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
<< <i>Thanks for the review. The Man just sent me an email today, requesting that I take a quick jaunt to Beijing to whip some people into shape in mid-July. Len's book will certainly be with me on the trip. Perhaps I will have a picture taken with it on the Great Wall.
It's a fast read, so make sure you bring something else, too.
Thanks RYK, just ordered at Amazon. I'm a sucker for these types of books!
You will not be disappointed.
Congrats again to Len for such a fabulous book.
<< <i>When's the movie? >>
I do not know, but it would be fun to cast forum members in the various roles.
I will be doing a talk on this book at the Annual Meeting of the Maryland Historical Society this coming Thursday, 6/26, at 5:45PM. Anyone in the Baltimore area who would like to attend, just PM me and I will get you on the guest list.