Another Time Capsule opening - coins or no coins? 0

[Zebo]

Back in December 2021, a second time capsule was found in the Lee Monument at Richmond. The first capsule, which was not the storied capsule that they were searching for that was entombed in 1887, contained a few items including a silver coin. The sought after capsule, pictured below, was open to much fanfare and did contain a few coins amongst many other artifacts. 

Today, there will be another opening of a dated time capsule at West Point - that Lee, as a cadet, was also somewhat associated with.

WEST POINT, N.Y. – The U.S. Military Academy will open and unveil the contents of a nearly 200-year-old time capsuleduring a ceremony on August 28 at 10:30 a.m. in Robinson Auditorium at Thayer Hall. 

The sealed lead time capsule measuring about one square foot was discovered in the Thaddeus Kosciuszko monument's base during recent renovations. Academy officials determined the capsule was placed in the base of the Kosciuszko monument 26 years after the academy’s founding by cadets in 1828. 
 

The question is will it or will it not have any coins in it? It will be live streamed - stay tuned.

 

[Zebo]

Nice presentation, disappointing results:

 

 

Edited August 28, 2023 by Zebo

[J P M]

It looks empty ?

[Zebo]

On 8/28/2023 at 12:06 PM, J P M said:

It looks empty ?

Yep. Some debris at the bottom could be decomposed something, or just sludge. There was a possible breach in one of the bottom seams that could have let some water/moisture in. The plate at the top was made by E. W. Banks (or something like that).  Maybe it was a big hoax (doubt it) or maybe Geraldo got to it first (kidding of course). It was still fun watching and watching those that held great expectations. 

Edited August 28, 2023 by Zebo
Typo

[Fenntucky Mike]

Psych! 

[Henri Charriere]

Going back to the 1964-1965 World's Fair in New York, it was my understanding that the items buring in the time capsule there were to give to be "representative" of life as lived then. A daily newspaper, a music album (perhaps The Beatles) and similar artifacts illustrating what life was like at the time.  A great many such time capsules take the same approach, using ordinary, everyday objects that would give someone in the future a look back at life as it was lived at that time.  Many very interesting things have been found in such "vaults" and "cornerstones," but nothing to my knowledge having great value.  If coins and currency were included, they would likely be circulated. No rare Proof coins or Exceptional Paper Quality banknotes.

[Zebo]

On 8/28/2023 at 1:28 PM, Henri Charriere said:

Going back to the 1964-1965 World's Fair in New York, it was my understanding that the items buring in the time capsule there were to give to be "representative" of life as lived then. A daily newspaper, a music album (perhaps The Beatles) and similar artifacts illustrating what life was like at the time.  A great many such time capsules take the same approach, using ordinary, everyday objects that would give someone in the future a look back at life as it was lived at that time.  Many very interesting things have been found in such "vaults" and "cornerstones," but nothing to my knowledge having great value.  If coins and currency were included, they would likely be circulated. No rare Proof coins or Exceptional Paper Quality banknotes.

Time capsules are really for historical value, not rarities or precious anything. One cornerstone that may have something of value is the San Francisco Mint cornerstone. Possibly a couple rarities in it - if ever found. 

In this current time capsule, anything in that lead box is dust. Oh, well… a coin of the time would have been nice.
 

[zadok]

On 8/28/2023 at 1:40 PM, Zebo said:

Time capsules are really for historical value, not rarities or precious anything. One cornerstone that may have something of value is the San Francisco Mint cornerstone. Possibly a couple rarities in it - if ever found. 

In this current time capsule, anything in that lead box is dust. Oh, well… a coin of the time would have been nice.
 

...after close magnification i can read some legible letters in the dust...its "let's go br_n__n"...hmmmm so perceptive those cadets....

[PSUMAN08]

There were coins found: West Point time capsule: Coins, medal found days after opening (usatoday.com)

"After sifting the dirt, West Point experts found an 1800 Liberty dollar, an 1828 50-cent piece, an 1818 quarter, an 1827 dime, a 1795 nickel, and a 1827 penny, and an Erie Canal commemorative medal."

Guess the 1795 nickel is a half dime.

[VKurtB]

On 8/31/2023 at 9:49 AM, PSUMAN08 said:

There were coins found: West Point time capsule: Coins, medal found days after opening (usatoday.com)

"After sifting the dirt, West Point experts found an 1800 Liberty dollar, an 1828 50-cent piece, an 1818 quarter, an 1827 dime, a 1795 nickel, and a 1827 penny, and an Erie Canal commemorative medal."

Guess the 1795 nickel is a half dime.

Penny and nickel. Boy, you can always count on USA Today scribes to use correct terminology, can't you? What an embarrassing news source! How about cent and half dime? Would it hurt so bad to get the terms right?