How awesome would it be to discover a can of old coins while digging in the dirt? That’s what happened to William Jackson back in 1914.
William Jackson, a contractor, discovered a can containing $40 in gold and silver coins dating from 1843 to 1855 while working on the site for the Eagles’ club house. The coins, mostly in $1, $2.50, and $5 denominations, are believed to have been relocated from another site years ago.
Digs Up Can of Old Coins
ATCHISON, Kans. September 12, 1914. — William Jackson unearthed a can of money on the site that is to be occupied by the Eagles’ club house at Atchison. The can contained $40 in gold and silver coins, the dates ranging from 1843 to 1855. Jackson, who is the contractor doing about five feet when the can stuck to the point of his pick.
It is believed the money was not purposely buried where it was found, but that it was dug up at some other place and carried to the club house site when a ditch there was filled many years ago.
Most of the coins are gold of $1, $2.50 and $5 denominations.
Source: The Hays free press. (Hays, Kan.), 12 Sept. 1914.
