Box found in attic contains coins, a map and a hand

Mike Lopez's sister was recently cleaning out their grandparents attic in Tampa, Florida, when she came across a box with strange contents. Neatly organized with copper wire, the box contains coins, a map, a photograph and a hand. The hand is secured to the box with copper wire and has a ring on one finger. Lopez says he believes the photo is of his great grandparents Eve and Ernesto Lopez.



"It seems as though this belonged to my great grand parents because there is a picture of them in there," said Lopez. He also believes the box may have something to do with the mythical pirate Jose Gaspar. Lopez isn't sure when the photo or the box were made. The map has some clues. It's a map of downtown Tampa and shows the Hillsborough River and two bridges.

Rodney Kite-Powell, curator of the Tampa Bay History Center, was interested to examine the box and its contents. Kite-Powell noticed the photo is from the studio of the Burgert Brothers. He believes it is of the couple on their wedding day. The coins however, do not appear to be authentic spanish treasure.



"They're a little thin to be Spanish Coins or old coins in general. Generally older coins were thicker," said Kite-Powell. After a close examination of the map, Kite-Powell believes it's likely from the 1920's or 1930's. "It's fascinating, but I just don't know what to make of it aside from the fact that it's probably not Jose Gaspar's hand, these probably aren't Spanish coins," said Kite-Powell. Mike Lopez still believes the hand in the box is real.

With news video.