"A time capsule containing rare gold coins has been unearthed from the foundations of a 1930s villa in Alexandria. The sealed lead capsule held 13 coins of different denominations, including silver 5, 10 and 20 piastres pieces, and three gold 20, 50 and 100 piastres pieces. These last three are some of the rarest coins in modern Egypt's monetary history."
"The most remarkable item was a typewritten Greek document found inside the capsule, signed by Constantine M. Salvago and his mother Julia K. Salvago, and dated May 1, 1937. It recorded the laying of the villa's foundation stone under the supervision of French architect Jean Walter, a vivid reminder of the pride and rituals that defined Alexandria's Greek community at the time."
Archaeologists uncovered a sealed lead time capsule in the foundations of a 1930s villa in Alexandria containing 13 coins of various denominations, including silver 5, 10 and 20 piastres and three gold 20, 50 and 100 piastres. The three gold pieces rank among modern Egypt's rarest coins. The capsule also contained a typewritten Greek document dated May 1, 1937, signed by Constantine M. Salvago and Julia K. Salvago, recording the laying of the villa's foundation stone under architect Jean Walter. The Salvago family originated on Chios and joined the Chian diaspora after the 1822 Massacre of Chios; Constantine later moved to Alexandria and built a commercial and banking enterprise.
Read at www.thehistoryblog.com
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