US Coins

The Boston time capsule is going to be opened up tonight

A time capsule found in the cornerstone of the Massachusetts State House building and undergoing examination and conservation work at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Image courtesy of Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

1. Opening Day

Today we will finally find out what exactly is inside the Massachusetts State House time capsule that was pulled from a granite block on Dec. 11. 

UPDATE: Here are 12 photos from Tuesday's opening of the Boston time capsule

Here's what we know about the time capsule so far:

  • The time capsule was hidden inside a granite block at the State House in 1795 by Gov. Samuel Adams, Paul Revere and William Scollay.
  • It was first discovered and added to during renovations to the State House in 1855, then put back in place.
  • There were plenty of great tweets posted during the full-day recovery effort in November.
  • State records of the time capsule’s contents account for a 1652-dated silver Pine Tree shilling, as well as other coins from the 18th and 19th century.
  • The Massachusetts Executive Office of Administration and Finance said the container, a copper box, was given an X-ray on Dec. 14.
  • The opening of the time capsule will take place during a 6 p.m. ET press conference Tuesday night at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

2. Precious metals pricing

Kitco.com listed the following prices per ounce at 9:23 a.m. ET Tuesday:

3. What's new on CoinWorld.com?

We've reported extensively on the silver bullion sales record reported by the U.S. Mint in 2014. Another major numismatic player, Heritage Auctions, had its own "best year ever" as it brought in nearly $1 billion in realized prices.

Read all about it here.

4. Yesterday's most-viewed post

New Zealand bank officials explain design selection process in recent bank publication

5. Bitcoin basics

There are a lot of stories out there right now about Bitcoin, its 2014, and what might be in store for it in 2015. In order to understand those stories, a basic knowledge of just what Bitcoin is and how it works is extremely helpful. 

Here's a good crash course from Vox.

More from CoinWorld.com:

Specimen 70 Enhanced Uncirculated 2014-D Native American dollars sell for $750 each

U.S. Mint making Proof 2015-W silver American Eagles available for more customers during FUN Show

2014 U.S. coin market overall near $5 billion say PNG officials (not counting Mint sales)

When are they going to open the Boston time capsule and see what's inside?

U.S. Mint breaks single-year silver bullion sales record: Top 10 Stories of 2014

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