After three weeks of intrigue and investigation, conservationists have finally discovered what was in a "time capsule" found on Dublin's O'Connell Street - nothing.
Experts at the National Museum think a thief may have stolen a number of coins when they were being placed inside the granite container, discovered at the former site of an 1808 monument to Lord Nelson.
The capsule was found by archaeologists removing the foundations of Nelson's Pillar in preparation for a new Millennium Spire on October 2nd.
The find was hailed at the time as "significant and unexpected", and some experts predicted there may be many similar historic boxes dotted around the city.
Records dating back to the beginning of the 19th century indicated the coins should have been concealed behind a metal plate attached to the capsule.
But after spending three weeks carefully treating the artefact with special solution and removing the plate at the National Museum's new £6 million laboratory, the box was found to be empty.
Dr Pat Wallace, director of the National Museum, said: "Somebody has obviously stolen whatever coins were meant to go to in there, probably when the thing was inserted.
"There is no doubt at all about it because there are written records about the deposition of coins".
"I'm intrigued because also inserted at the pillar between two lead plates were three coins of 1805, a penny, a farthing and a halfpenny. They have been found - but not by us".
PA