What was is in that 219-year-old time capsule from Paul Revere and Sam Adams?

The contents of the #MFATimeCapsule pic.twitter.com/qet1Jc6iDE

— Museum of Fine Arts (@mfaboston) January 7, 2015

Last month, Museum of Fine Arts conservator Pam Hatchfield excavated a 219-year-old time capsule that Paul Revere and then-Governor Samuel Adams buried under the Massachusetts State House in 1795.

Rumors circulated about what exactly was inside that box — which had last been discovered in 1855 — but the items remained unknown until yesterday.

The reveal took place at the Museum of Fine Arts in front of a large portrait of George Washington where Hatchfield carefully removed each delicate item.

Conservator Pam Hatchfield and Mass. Archives Director Michael Comeau at work opening the #MFATimeCapsule pic.twitter.com/N5LATOblQC

— Museum of Fine Arts (@mfaboston) January 6, 2015

All in all, the brass box contained:

• 5 newspapers, including a copy a two-cent priced “Boston Traveller.”
• One paper impression of the Seal of the Commonwealth.
• 24 coins, including a silver three-cent that, according to Executive Director of Massachusetts Archives Michael Comeau, was hoarded during the Civil War.
• A silver Paul Revere-inscribed plaque.

The time capsule will be on display before it’s reburied under the State House.