This is actually what I do for a living. Been doing in for 9 years and do stuff on my own too. That epoxy you talk about doesn't usually have glass over it...it is poured on that thick (1/4" or more). It is about as indestructable finish their is...why they use it for bar tops.
AceDeuce says it is not that hard to do yourself...haha, try it. I don't doubt you could make a piece of shit for $1000...seen it before many times. I've seen the cabinetry of experienced carpenters and it is laughable. It takes years to learn this trade, and what's more minimum of 8-10K in tools to build something like a bar...that is if it's not a peice.
10' bar out of maple, off the top of my head (once again w/ seeing the drawings) I would personally do for around 4500-5K, a shop would have to charge more because of overhead.
I wouldn't want to do this myself ( or hire me to do it), I lack the experience to likely do an A job of it. I've never worked with that epoxy stuff. ( or sheet maple). I'm a rough car
penter ( framer) type, not a finish guy. I'm 2X4's and plywood, not fine wood.
However you wouldn't want to set anything very valuable ( like thousands of $) into it, IMO. No problem putting a silver dollar worth $25 into it, but not a Primo coin, gambling token, banknote,etc. That substance can't be good for any collectible worth real money.
Some old large size banknotes would be a cool item to put in there, few know of them, or have seen them, so it would be interesting to many. They are sometimes called "Horseblankets" because of their size. Perhaps $50 for a large size $1 bill ( well worn). It could be sealed in a plastic sleeve.