What's the oldest thing you posess?

Solver · May 30, 2002, 10:44

Curious what is the oldest thing that the Apolytoners have, in terms of age, of course

.

I got two very old things:

A German printed Bible - 1780.
A Livonian coin from Revele (now Tallin) - probably second half of 14th century.

Well, the Bible is nothing too much of an interest, so a bit of background on the coin.

In 1998, I was walking in one of the castles of Latvia, when I noticed a round metalic looking object on the ground. After taking it, the thing seemed to look like an old coin, or something like that, so I took it with me. It was so dirty that I couldn't see the coin itself.

Coming home, I cleaned the thing as much as I could, and realized it's actually a coin, and it seemed a pretty old one.

I visited a museum, and asked what to do. They told me to use tomato (!) to clean the thing. So, each morning I put the coin into a tomato, to take it out and replace in the evening. And, in a week, the coin became almost clean, only having parts of that green crap on it now. Parts of it are totally used, parts are good, so I took it again to the museum.

I was told that this kind of a coin was first found only in 1993. The coin was used in Livonia, originated in Revele (Tallin), and this kind of coins was stopped being used in 1422. So it's somwhere late 13'00s or up to 1421. Heck, it's old! This existed before America was discovered, and I own it. Feels nice

.

What's your oldest thing?

General Ludd · May 30, 2002, 10:48

The original Sim City.

Caligastia · May 30, 2002, 10:52

A Metallica "Jump in the Fire" single on vinyl - 1983

Solver · May 30, 2002, 10:55

I guess Civ 1 can beat it

.

Flandrien · May 30, 2002, 11:22

An entire COBOL program, stored on punch cards.

Alex · May 30, 2002, 11:26

My wife.

-=Vagrant=- · May 30, 2002, 11:29

A Finnish markka from 1893. I may have some coins that are even older but I can't remember right now.

Eli · May 30, 2002, 11:34

An 80-90 years old Bible(OT of course).

Buck Birdseed · May 30, 2002, 11:34

Several stones that are millions of years old.

Solver · May 30, 2002, 11:42

How can you be so sure, Snapcase

.

I hope noone can beat me here.

Buck Birdseed · May 30, 2002, 11:46

Okay, stone-age flint axe, then.

"Proper" antiques- two 19th century swords, two 19th-century hunting-motif paintings...

Solver · May 30, 2002, 11:47

I can imagine you holding a Sword

. Scary Swede

.

Adam Smith · May 30, 2002, 12:24

A maple desk, built in 1763 in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and been in my father's family ever since. For many years it doubled as the family safe. The writing surface folds up and locks, and there are a couple dozen lockable drawers and small cubbies inside. Its really built solid. Had to move it once, and it felt like it weighted a ton, literally.

MrWhereItsAt · May 30, 2002, 12:25

Piece of sedimentary rock from central Oz dated at 1 billion years.

Any takers?

OzzyKP · May 30, 2002, 12:28

I'll beat everyone.

I've got several Indian arrow heads. Beats me when from, 1000-1700 ad perhaps.

I have a Hungarian coin from the 1300's.

I have pottery shards from my castle (yea I've got a castle) in Hungary. If its Hungarian then from around 1400 or so, if its from the damn Turks (who took my castle and destroyed it) then its from the 1500 or 1600's.

And for the clincher.... I've got a Roman coin. I dunno from when, but certainly before 400 AD.

Dauphin · May 30, 2002, 12:28

Quote:

Originally posted by MrWhereItsAt
Piece of sedimentary rock from central Oz dated at 1 billion years.

Any takers?

My car is older for sure.

Caligastia · May 30, 2002, 12:29

I have some water. Its been around since this planet was formed.

Ecthy · May 30, 2002, 12:35

some maps from the 19th century.

maybe something even older than that, can't think of anything right now though.

SlowwHand · May 30, 2002, 12:35

Quote:

Originally posted by Alexnm
My wife.

Oh man. Way to live dangerously.

Kassiopeia · May 30, 2002, 12:36

Quote:

Originally posted by Caligastia
I have some water. Its been around since this planet was formed.

Wait... haven't those hydrogen atoms in that water existed ever since the formation of the universe?

MrWhereItsAt · May 30, 2002, 12:39

Some of them, kass.

But can you point out which ones?

As for human-made stuff - an actual German courier's leather document bag from WWI - a hand-me down from a relative.

Caligastia · May 30, 2002, 12:39

Quote:

Originally posted by kassiopeia

Wait... haven't those hydrogen atoms in that water existed ever since the formation of the universe?

Damn straight! Beat that you arseholes!

Kassiopeia · May 30, 2002, 12:45

Quote:

Originally posted by MrWhereItsAt
Some of them, kass.

But can you point out which ones?

Simple. I'll just ask the oldest ones to raise their hands.

(Enough of this

...

)

Dauphin · May 30, 2002, 12:53

Hydrogen is not the oldest composite of the Universe.

Caligastia · May 30, 2002, 12:54

Quote:

Originally posted by Sagacious Dolphin
Hydrogen is not the oldest composite of the Universe.

Youre just jealous of my water

Dauphin · May 30, 2002, 12:58

Most of your water has been urinated by several million animals over the course of several hundred million years. I have no reason to be jealous.

Bereta_Eder · May 30, 2002, 12:59

a ring. family hairloom coming down from generations.

i resisted the urge to "acquire" a small colored stone that had been detached from an ancient "painting" which is made from very small colored stones (psifidoto) it was in a secluded small village. totally abandoned. it did not look 100% greek though. more of a greco-roman aesthetic.

Tiamat · May 30, 2002, 13:01

ME!

I have my grandmother's side board which is about 80 years old. We used to eat Sunday dinners at her house and we would put the food out on the side board.

I"m not sure about the age of the this we think it goes back to Louis the 15th. My mother while antique shopping in Germany found these two dueling pistols that were filthy. She bought them for $25.00. We took them to our local gun smith when we got back to have them cleaned up when we went to pick them up they were in the safe. He said that's the time period he believes there from. He had several people come by from the gun club to look at them and they all seemed to agree.

OzzyKP · May 30, 2002, 13:04

Some other cool coins i've got:

I've got a few Vichy coins from WW2. These are neat, first of all they are made of tin or aluminim (someting light) because of rationing. Also it is neat to see how the Vichys changed Liberte, Egalite, and Fraternate to something more Fascist sounding.

I've got coins from Italy, Norway, France (1920, 1923, 1942, 1947), India (1985, 1965), Canada (1938), Turkey, Israel, Bahamas, West Germany (1950), Spain (1940, 1966), Hungary, Some Unidentified Arab Country (1960), San Marino, Bremuda, Greece (i think), Mexico, Netherlands, UK, and South Korea.

Anyone want to send me a coin from their country?

Bereta_Eder · May 30, 2002, 13:04

forgot to say that this psifidoto was in an ancient bath tab

think of a large pool with the psifidoto in the bottom of it. on opposite side theere were two small buildings that looked like twin temples.

pretty cool