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A time capsule placed in Boston by founding fathers was opened to today to reveal newspapers and coins. Though it was hidden in 1795 I think, and reopened and replaced in 1855 (suggesting an annual opening to add things) the presence of 17th century coins made me think about how currency is used, and how coins from earlier times keep in use for long periods. In this case I figured that during the Revolution many 17th century coins were probably still in circulation.
Josh.
I had been following some of the new about that, and was so excited to hear about its opening. The link you shared was the best article I had read on it thus far, most others were just rephrases of the same text. Thanks for the link. I can only imagine being able to be the one to open and take out its contents, uncovering the history one item at a time.
They mentioned one coin, the pine tree shilling, that is interesting. I believe that Britain was opposed to the colonies making their own coins, so Massachusetts simply continued to strike the coins with the same date (1652) so the King would not be able to definitively tell that they continued to mint coins after his order to cease. This went on until about 1682. Some variations were made of the tree itself to help prevent counterfeiting. Likely there is far more about these coins that I know, yet another perspective on the long road of independent acts leading up until the revolution.
These coins, as you mention, were likely used for many, many years. They even made their way around the world, as did this pine tree shilling in England:
If only these coins could talk 🙂
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