If you didn't spot me at the show last Thursday, it's because I wasn't there. I was at the Mayrland Historic Society photographing coins and medals from the Washington Monument time capsules. Two time capsules were buried, one in 1815 for the groundbreaking, and one in 1915 for the centennial. Both are on exhibit at the museum. YN Garrett Ziss put together a crew and arranged for these coins to be taken off exhibit so they could be studied and photographed for an upcoming article. The 1815 time capsule had all circulating coins of the day, half cent through eagle, as well as a couple medals. These had been individually wrapped in paper, labeled, and put in a jar with another newspaper, and sealed with a cork and wax. As you can imagine, the gold fared the best in this environment. The silver coins were quite dark and had non-reflective, slate-like surfaces. The copper was (surprisingly) in better shape than the silver, although they had acquired a gray color. The cent (1812) was essentially flawless if not for the fact that it was a silvery color. It had unbroken luster on both sides, nicer on the reverse, and no nasty marks. The 1915 time capsule was a copper box that had been soldered shut. It contained cent through dollar and half eagle. These coins fared much better. The quarter was the nicest, being the only uncirculated coin of the bunch. The reverse was mostly brilliant and untoned. Papers that had been put in the box were also in perfect condition. By the time we were finished with everything, I only would have had time to stop at the show for a couple minutes before heading to the airport, so I walked down the street to the Washington Monument, did the obligatory climb to the top, then called for my ride when I got down. Of course, the time I spent at the airport waiting for a delayed flight could have afforded me a leisurely visit to the bourse. There's an article on the Baltimore Sun's website about this, including interviews with Garrett and Joel Orosz as well as a small photo gallery. I'm not sure what the timeline is for the publication of the article. I need to finish working on the photos first, among other things.
I cannot wait for the article, and that kid is going to be a superstar. If he were a basketball player at that age, with that drive and focus you'd know he was going to end up in the NBA.
Please keep us posted as I do get the Sun and would love to see and read the write up. And will add sorry we missed you in Baltimore Hon!!! Would of got you a natty boh and a crab cake.
For those members who don't know there quite a history of coins in Baltimore . The town has always been a corner store on this hobby for many reasons . I would suggest if you are the type who likes to explore and research the stories of coins in this town. One in particular the story of some board kids whom kicked a hole in a wall of an old row home and found a hoard of gold coins . Not only did they find gold but they found it in a era that was the depression . Google the story and you'll be amazed
