Like the coins sold at his shop, Falcone Coins & Jewelry, each item is a window into the valley's cultural, economic and political landscape, Falcone says. The community now has an opportunity to view a portion of Falcone's personal collection at Silver Leaf Antiques in Willow Glen until Aug.1.

Falcone, who has rented space in the antique store since it opened in 2000, worked with storeowner Rick Phelan to create the exhibit, which includes two glass cases of photographs, coins, documents and souvenirs from a bygone era.

The exhibit includes items from the late 1800s to mid-1900s when San Jose was still a relatively small city. In 1900, Falcone says the city's population was 40,000 and grew by only 20,000 people during the next 60 years. Today, the city has nearly 1 million residents.

"Anyone from San Jose who was around 50 to 60 years ago can relate to anything in here," Falcone says.

Sal's wife, Barbara, who became a history buff after she married Sal 43 years ago, can see moments of her own life reflected in the display.

A black and white photo on display depicts the former home of O'Connor Hospital--originally known as O'Connor Sanitarium--the county's first hospital. It was opened in 1889 at the corner of Race and W. San Carlos streets. Barbara was born there. This site is now a shopping complex and home to a Safeway and a McDonalds. The hospital relocated to Forest Avenue in 1953.

Other photographs of the former downtown remind Barbara of her youth and where she grew up on Almaden Avenue. This area was known as Goosetown.

Another 1940s photograph in the exhibit pictures the corner of Lincoln and Curtner avenues, the home of Silver Leaf Antiques. Back then it housed a Safeway and gas station.

Beyond personal memories, Sal has items showing the societal history of the area. There are bank notes issued by the Bank of Italy, which was founded by San Jose native Amadeo Peter Giannini in 1904. Today it is known to millions as Bank of America.

There are also old Bank of Italy money sacks that held $20 gold coins.

Other unusual artifacts include a picture of Sodality Baseball Park that was located on the corner of San Carlos Street and Bird Avenue. Falcone acquired a photograph of Babe Ruth batting at the park, which was torn down in the 1960s. Today it is home to Orchard Supply Hardware.

Other historical items include documents about the racial tensions of the early 1900s. There is a San Jose Police Department rap sheet that lists a Chinese man being sent to San Quentin State Prison in 1906 for assaulting a white woman. The woman was a prostitute, but Sal said any Chinese man found with a white woman was sent to prison.

In 1918, a group of vigilantes who called themselves the Pershing Patriots sent a hand-written note to a local Santa Clara County business that said, "You are hereby warned against employing any Germans or other alien enemies ... as our boys are over there fighting for us not to keep our enemies here. Police and other protection will be of no use. This is no threat, just cold facts and unless you do this your works will be destroyed."

Despite tension towards Germans during that time, the German population flourished in the valley. Many owned cigar shops. Cigar shops and candy stores were prolific in San Jose, Sal said.

As they scan their collection, Sal and Barbara speak excitedly about each item's significance.

The Falcones have not confined their historical artifacts search to San Jose. The couple has also returned home with treasures from Mexico City and Hong Kong.

Over time Sal's love of the past has earned him a reputation as a history buff collector. People often approach him to sell valuable items, and Sal wouldn't have it any other way.

"I've been interested in history my entire life," he says.

The Falcone exhibit will be on display until Aug. 1 at Silver Leaf Antiques, 2253 Lincoln Ave. Falcone Coins & Jewelry is located at 1230 Lincoln Ave.