Object Details
Description
Description: This mass of fused coins was recovered from the debris of the World Trade Center.
Context: Fire from the jet fuel was an important element in the collapse of the World Trade Center towers. While it is estimated that about half of the fuel carried by each airliner was burned off in the initial fireball, the remainder spread throughout many floors of the building, setting off massive fires. The contents of the building—desks, papers, carpets, ceiling tiles, and even paint—fueled the fire, and with estimated temperatures of about 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, even metal coins were fused together. After the collapse, the fires continued to burn for weeks.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
2002.0238.13
accession number
2002.0238
catalog number
2002.0238.13
Object Name
fused coins, group of
Measurements
overall: 11.5 cm x 9 cm x 1.2 cm; 4 1/2 in x 3 9/16 in x 1/2 in
recovery site
United States: New York, Fresh Kills
recovered
United States: New York, Manhattan, World Trade Center
See more items in
Military and Society: Armed Forces History, 9/11
September 11
Data Source
National Museum of American History
associated subject
September 11 Terrorist Attacks
related event
Attack on the World Trade Center
September 11th Attacks
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_1195315