Treasure in the Cellar: A Tale of Gold in Depression-Era Baltimore [Paperback]

Leonard Augsburger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 9, 2008

Coin collectors and enthusiasts have long been familiar with the story of two boys who unearthed a fortune in gold coins while playing in a Baltimore basement in 1934. But the rest of the story trailed off to a few odd details. One of the boys died young, the other ran into trouble with the law. No one seemed to know more.

A lifelong coin collector, Leonard Augsburger was determined to uncover the rest of the story. What happened to the kids? The gold? Who buried it in the first place?

Meticulously researched, Treasure in the Cellar delves into the lives of the boys and their families, recreates the hours at the police station after the boys reported what they found, and describes months of courtroom drama as descendents of several former property owners came forward, each claiming the fortune for themselves.

(2008)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Using historical context, concrete details and quotes, Augsburger offers a riveting tale of poverty, greed, legal red tape, and the way they exacerbate each other.

(Diane Scharper Baltimore Sun )

An interesting read.

(Mike Thomas Numimaster.com )

About the Author

Leonard Augsburger is an engineering manager in the telecommunications industry. He has written numerous articles for numismatic hobby periodicals and is a frequent speaker at numismatic events. He is a member of the Maryland Historical Society, the American Numismatic Association, and the American Numismatic Society.

(2009)

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: The Maryland Historical Society; annotated edition edition (May 9, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0938420976
• ISBN-13: 978-0938420972
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,668,960 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read for anyone interested in coins, Baltimore, treasure troves, and history, June 21, 2008

By 

SageRad (Clayton, MO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Treasure in the Cellar: A Tale of Gold in Depression-Era Baltimore (Paperback)

Len does a terrific job weaving history, numismatics, law, and lore, backed by extensive research to spin a masterful tale. As the story goes, two poor boys find a sizable accumulation of gold coins from 1834 through 1856 (including the mega-coin, an 1856-O $20) in the basement of a slum in Baltimore in 1934. Naturally, the coins change their fortunes, along with those of their families, forever, but in ways which are not entirely expected. The book deals a lot with the legal challenges for ownership of the coin, which are indeed complex, but fascinating. There are twists and turns in the story line, and while you never know exactly what is going to happen in the end (and I am not going to tell you), a Hollywood ending never really seems in the cards.

Len has a polished, professional writing style that is very smooth and readable. The research goes deep and touches upon many aspects of the history of the City of Baltimore from the early 1800's through the Depression. Despite that the subject is relatively esoteric, anyone who enjoyed Tripp's Illegal Tender or Frankel's Double Eagle (both written about the 1933 Saint) would find this book to be equally pleasing.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Liked it, September 6, 2008

By 

J. Strack (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Treasure in the Cellar: A Tale of Gold in Depression-Era Baltimore (Paperback)

This book was a page turner. It's a true and interesting story that is well written. I'm very satisfied and looking for more books by this author.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Historically entertaining, August 19, 2008

By 

T. Reizman ""by VKR"" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Treasure in the Cellar: A Tale of Gold in Depression-Era Baltimore (Paperback)

I was not sure what to expect when I started my read. Within a few pages I felt like I was part of the 1930's. Len brings the reader through the time period as if you are traveling in a time capsule. Soon you are living the story. The historical facts, intertwined with the personal story of events, presents an educational history lesson of real life in 1930's Baltimore in an extremely entertaining fashion. Unlike "National Treasure" the movie this story is plausible and true. Excellent work Len!