Time Capsules from the Past

As ash rained down on Pompeii on August 9, A.D. 79, the sky turned dark. Fleeing citizens were met with toxic volcanic gases, and many succumbed to the fatal fumes. Tephra and acid rain began to fall from the skies. Soon, Pompeii was buried in ashes, frozen in time. The volcanic ash left the city in pristine condition. Out of this disaster, only a couple hundred citizens made it to safety. Among the architecture and other objects, thousands of Roman coins were buried, not to be seen for over 1,600 years. 

In 1763, as architect Domenico Fontana was digging an underground water channel, his workers stumbled upon a buried city. As they began to excavate the area, they encountered intact Roman buildings, everyday objects, and human remains. Among these ruins were thousands of Roman coins, some in mint-state condition.

Fast forward to 2025, and the Pompeii site still buzzes with activity. Nearly one-third of the city is still buried under centuries of ash and dirt. However, among the shards of pottery, ancient buildings, and remains, many coins have been discovered. All these coins hold a treasure trove of data from ancient times. Coins are one of the most enduring and lasting artifacts. Because coins last so long, they allow us to make many inferences about the past. 

Composition & Context

1815 Cents

Numismatics in general carries a lot of history. For example, check a price guide right now for the 1815-dated cent. Upon investigation, you will find there is no 1815 cent. A casual collector would shrug this off. However, by diving deeper into this topic, you can learn why no cents are dated that year.

On June 18, 1812, President James Madison signed a declaration of war against Great Britain. Contrary to its name, the War of 1812 was fought until 1815. During the war, all coin production stopped except for copper coins. However, by the beginning of 1815, the U.S. Mint was running low on copper planchets, which were mainly supplied by Great Britain. Because of trade bans, the mint did not receive copper planchets until after the war. There were probably 1815 cents minted, but they were most likely dated 1814. A fire that broke out in early 1816 further halted production at the Philadelphia Mint.

1943 Steel Cents & Other Wartime Issues

A more famous example of this is the 1943 steel cent. Perhaps one of the most well-known coins, the 1943 steel cent was created because of World War II. As the war continued, the United States changed the composition of the copper cent because copper was a vital war material. The U.S. Mint also used spent shell cartridges for creating cents. Our nation also made special HAWAII overprint notes in case Japan invaded the islands. Another well-known coin is the war nickel, for which silver was used as a replacement for nickel. 

Certain design changes can also reveal history. Composition changes hint at the economy. For example, the Coinage Act of 1965, which eliminated silver from dimes and quarters and called for a switch to a copper-nickel composition, shows that the silver market was on the rise. Peace dollars indicate a desire for peace after the Great War. The changing features of Liberty and many other symbols demonstrate the changing cultural values of the times.

Historic Figures on Coins

Cleopatra

Finally, coins have also been used to decipher historical enigmas. Perhaps one of the most well-known ancient figures was Cleopatra VII, known simply as Cleopatra. She has been featured in many Hollywood movies and countless books and was known for her cunningness, intelligence, and beauty. This is only speculation from modern-day historians and weakly supported statements from contemporary so-called historians who lived in the 3rd century. Dio Cassius was a Roman historian who spent a good portion of his life compiling an account of Roman “history.” He described Cleopatra as “beautiful,” “charming,” and “striking.” However, as more ancient history is uncovered, historians now believe that this is not the full story. Part of this revision is thanks to coins that have been found bearing her image.  

Caesar

Ages ago, on March 15, many senators filed into the Senate House of Pompey. Many of them were part of a plan to assassinate someone. Recently, this leader had installed himself as a dictator. This leader was also a tactical genius, conquering nation after nation. A group as large as 60 people conspired to assassinate the leader of the known world: Julius Caesar. 

Earlier in the day, Caesar’s wife had urged him to stay home. The night before, she had a dream in which harm befell Caesar. However, the conspirators were able to convince Caesar to appear at the Senate meeting. After he arrived, conspirators gathered around him. Lucius Cimber, a Roman senator, distracted Caesar, and his enemies stabbed him to death. This marked the transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire. This event is now known as the Ides of March.

An event this substantial was recorded by many. Some sources included classical authors, the first-known autopsy report, and monuments. Coins were also used to spread the news—including news of military victories, the changing of emperors, and significant events. Coins also spread propaganda and political slogans. Naturally, after Caesar was assassinated, Marcus Junius Brutus, one of the leaders of the conspiracy, commissioned a coin bearing his image on the obverse. The reverse depicts two daggers, a pileus (cap), and the inscription EID•MAR. The daggers, known as pugiones, were likely the assassination weapons. The pileus was often a symbol of freedom. EID•MAR was short for Ides of March. These symbols suggested that the assassins had freed the Roman Empire of a dictator. However, most of these coins were recalled by Mark Antony and Octavian, and only an estimated 100 examples exist today. 

Conclusion

As we collect coins, we may sometimes forget the significance behind them. Coins can hold a lot of personal and monetary value, and they are truly some of the best time capsules from the past. Each piece holds its own unique story, waiting to be discovered.