The 1828 time capsule opened at the United States Military Academy and thought to only contain a layer of dried mud has revealed coins and a medal dating back to the 18th century, the academy archeology team said.A one-cubic-foot lead box discovered during recent renovations was opened before a panel of experts in a livestreamed event at West Point on Monday, appearing to only show dirt.But later examination showed six silver coins and a commemorative medal were embedded in the sediment, the academy said.The coins included a 5-cent coin dating to 1795, while the medal was struck in 1826 to celebrate the completion of the Erie Canal the previous year.“This is an incredible story that involves so many of West Point’s heroes and many of them are the Army’s and our nation’s heroes. We should reflect upon and be inspired by our history to pause and realize we have the immense honor and responsibility to continue the legacy that Kosciusko started, and that West Point continues to live up to his vision from so long ago,” said the US Military Academy’s dean of the Academic Board, Brig Gen Shane Reeves.The nearly 200-year-old time capsule was found during recent renovations to a monument to Gen Andrzej Tadeusz Bonaventura Kosciuszko, a Polish military engineer better known as Thaddeus Kosciuszko, who served as an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Credit: United States Military Academy via Storyful