Note: the following is fiction but the Bitcoin (0.021 BTC) is real, buried somewhere the Western U.S.
Satoshi's Chest
A Treasure Hunt for .021 Bitcoin
Jacques Sennacques (left) and his cousin Walter Patterson with Satoshi's Chest, circa 1880
Background
In 2013 a construction worker in California discovered some documents inside the wall of a house that was being demolished. Among the papers was a series of letters from someone named Jacques Sennacques. Jacques was an American expat who then lived in Belgium in the early 1900s. The letters were addressed to an unnamed cousin, most likely Walter Patterson who lived in that house at the time.
The letters make clear that Jacques wanted his cousin to recover a large amount of Satoshis they had buried during their youth. Walter Patterson died in 1991. On his death bed he told one of his grandchildren that he "never found Satoshi's chest". Below are the transcriptions of these letters with the drawings by Jacques. More letters may be added as they are transcribed.
The 2 million satoshis have never been found. Piece together these clues and Satoshi's Chest could be yours. Current $USD value is...
The letters of Jacques Sennacques
Letter #1
February 12, 1901
Dear Cousin,
I am writing to you in order to remind you of the Satoshis we hid as children. 2,100,000 in all! You
[illegible]
It wasn't worth much at the time, but I think now we should extract it from the ground to prevent theft from raiders or accidental discovery. It took this form you may recall ...
Don't fret if you don't remember where we buried it. More letters will come
[illegible] and guide your steps. I will not share the exact location should these words be intercepted by would-be opportunists.
Your Humble cousin far from home,
Jacques
Letter #2
February 19, 1901
Dear Cousin,
Do you remember visiting San Francisco with our families
[illegible] winds. Our journey there would take a whole day, or more, by horse ride.
The city was unclean. Instead of that place of disrepute
[illegible] and unpredictable earthquakes I am glad our home was set in the rolling green hills to the East.
It is in those green hills that I hope you should visit again.
Your Humble cousin far from home,
Jacques
Jacques Sennacques with Satoshi's Chest, circa 1886
Letter #3
March 13, 1901
Dear Cousin,
Do you remember when electric light first illuminated our town square. I will never forget that evening.
I will also never forget the boastful salesman that guaranteed his bulbs would last 100 years or more. Although it seemed unlikely I hear rumors that his bulb does, indeed, still glow bright today. Would you seek it out, dear Cousin?
Should you find the location of this
[illegible] bulb, I believe you would be well prepared to receive instructions from my next letter. A starting point, perhaps, you could say.
Your Humble cousin far from home,
Jacques
Letter #4
April 03, 1901
Dear Cousin,
If you have located the object of my last letter you are well positioned to take your next steps. From here travel directly East. You'll know when to stop, for in a mile or two you'll be at the entrance of the weaponry compound.
As colossal as it is I'm sure you will not miss it, and no doubt the armed marshalls at the gates will prevent your headway. I have drawn this design from memory. I believe this grand trestle rested atop the compound gate
[illegible].
Our fortune, thankfully, is not within the compound,
[illegible] do not fret. Next steps will be revealed soon.
Your Humble cousin far from home,
Jacques
Photo taken from the Sennacques Ranch, circa 1910
Letter #5
May 14, 1901
Dear Cousin,
Do not take the next steps by foot. A horse will be better suited - or motorcar if you have the means. You are close to the end, yet miles away.
In those hills beyond the weaponry compound lies what we seek. Remember the game we played as children? We pretended to be soldiers under the command of Juan Bautista De Anza. We were stamping the same path he had centuries before us afterall. Take that road Eastward. A
[illegible] family name.
I have one letter left to send you. I hope that
[illegible] heart. It marks the place of rest.
Your Humble cousin far from home,
Jacques
Letter #6
May 21, 1901
Dear Cousin,
If you are on the correct road you need to look for a ranch to nowhere, the nameless entrance gate that opens only to empty hills and pathless grass fields.
If undisturbed after all these years you will spy a pale stone on the ground, reminiscent of a human heart. I left this stone near the post where the gate is hinged. If the stone
[illegible] by rain or human hand then you may need to spend more effort looking.
At this place, buried very shallow, you will find Satoshi's Chest. I pray you share its discovery with me so we may celebrate our good fortune together.
Your Humble cousin far from home,
Jacques
Satoshi's Chest In The Ledger
1M1iJxYLE8ic76vTz1sKkMPkq3fm9dxAcU
If 2,100,000 Sats are still at this address then Satoshi's Chest has not been found.
Did you find Satoshi's Chest? Please let us know!
