SEASON 13, EPISODE 2, “BILLION DOLLAR BABY” EPISODE ANALYSIS
- Daniel Spino
- 3 hours ago
- 6 min read
In this week’s episode, “BILLION DOLLAR BABY”, the show began in the MONEY PIT Area, where the Oak Island team began the core drilling of the new borehole J-9. The team reached a depth of 158 feet and encountered pieces of limestone. The target area of the borehole is the bottom of the Solution Channel which is at a depth of 210-215 feet.
The action took us to LOT 5 , where the Oak Island team began excavating in the area between the rectangular and circular features. Metal Detectorist, Katya Drayton, had a hit on her metal detector that appeared under a large rock. Marty Lagina began trying to lift the rock with a rod but couldn’t move it out of the way. Marty then suggested getting the smaller excavator that was nearby and moving the rock to look underneath for the metal hit.
The action shifted to the LAB, where the Oak Island team assembled to receive the results on testing of what appeared to be an old drill bit found in the Money Pit area last week. Archeometallurgist Emma Culligan completed an XRF Scan of the artifact and reported that it was iron with manganese and dated the artifact to the mid to late 1800’s. This corresponded with the treasure hunting activities of that time. This brought up the James Pitblado incident as discussed during last week’s episode and the team decided to ramp up its efforts in the Money Pit area.
We were then taken back to the Lot 5 where the Oak Island Team continued its excavation of the area between the rectangular and circular features. Marty Lagina came back with the small excavator and moved the rock to the side. After checking the metal hit, it was determined that whatever was there had corroded and disappeared over time. Katya began scanning the area where the excavator had left tread marks and she had a hit. This was just outside the rectangular feature. It appeared to be a piece of iron with some sort of fastener attached to it. The artifact was bagged and tagged and sent to Emma for testing.
We were taken back to the Research Center where the Oak Island Team met with Numismatist Sandy Campbell for his opinion on the Portuguese coin that was allegedly found in the Money Pit that was introduced last week. Sandy identified the coin as a Portuguese Torne Escuda and minted from 1367 to 1383. This verified Emma and Laird’s report on the coin. Sandy mentioned it was one of the coolest things he has seen. He noted that it was in exceptional condition, was brand new when he believed it was buried for a long period of time. He also stated that he thought it was never circulated and sat in a chest. It was noted that the coin had a composition of silver, nickel, and zinc, which are all metals that were found to be present in water samples in the Money Pit area. Sandy valued the coin from about $25,000 to $35,000 in value. This was due to its immaculate condition. After some quick calculations Marty Lagina stated a chest full of those coins would be worth a billion dollars, hence referring to the title of the episode.
The action shifted back to the Lot 5 Area, where the Oak Island Archeological team continued to excavate the rectangular feature. While working in the area, Archeology Assistant, Isabelle Whittier discovered a piece of pottery. Archeologist Fiona Steele identified the small black piece as Anglo-American Ware from the 18 to 19th Century. The team continued to work and Archeologist Tansy Rudnicki discovered a button. It still had the shank attached. Fiona mentioned that all these buttons being found will tell a story of who was present on Lot 5. The artifact was bagged and tagged and sent to Emma for analysis.
The scene shifted to Smith’s Cove, where the scanning of the spoils of the Money Pit from last season continued. Metal detectorist Gary Drayton began scanning the spoils and registered a hit. After locating the artifact, it appeared to be a type of hook refashioned from an iron fastener according to Gary. It was speculated that it could have been used to hang something in the underground workings of the Money Pit. After continuing scanning, a Rosehead Spike was found. It appeared that a portion of it was broken off. It was estimated that it was from the 1600’s. The artifacts were then sent to the Lab for testing.
The action then took us back to the Money Pit Area where the Oak Island Team had reached the bottom of the new borehole J-9. Core samples were taken as the team prepared to examine them for any signs of treasure. Surveyor Steve Guptill mentioned that the area where the cores came from is in the heart of the Solution Channel and the possible treasure zone. The samples were scanned but were clean according to Charles Barkhouse. The team decided to send soil samples to Emma for further testing because the area has produced prior traces of precious metals.
The action took us back to the LAB, where the Oak Island team met to discuss the testing results on the piece of iron found on Lot 5. Emma stated that the piece was cast iron and had a high phosphorus content. She believed it was a piece of cookware. She explained that due to the area’s cold climate the piece would become brittle over time and break apart. She dated the artifact as pre-1800’s. She stated the 1700’s but possibly 1600’s. 1700’s would fall in line with the majority of the artifacts that have been discovered in the area. Archeologist Laird Niven added that he thought the piece was part of a pot, made in Europe and brought to Nova Scotia. It was also stated that they have only found pieces of objects, never an entire piece which suggested to them that the site was being hidden for some reason.
The episode concluded back on Lot 5, in the southern portion of the lot, where Katya and Marty began to work. After scanning, Katya had a non-ferrous hit on her metal detector around another rock. It appeared to be a coin that she said might have a cross on it. It appeared to be copper and had a slight green cast to it. Her father, Gary Drayton, was called over, looked at the coin and was excited by the find. It appeared to have some writing and design on it. It was mentioned that it appeared to be a hammered coin and was pre-1600’s. The coin would be sent to the Lab for testing. In this same area, several Roman coins have been found. Is this another one? Until next week.
DANIEL’S ANALYSIS AND COMMENTARY:
This author talked last week about the problem with single coins being proof of possible treasure on Oak Island. This is because anyone could have dropped it at any time. There would be a greater possibility if more of the same currency were found in the same area, in this author’s opinion. Well, it appears that this may have happened in the past on Oak Island. According to the article in “Treasure Hunter Seeks to Unravel Oak Island Riddle” in the Register in July 1966, author Chris Young writes about Robert Dunfield’s work on Oak Island. The picture in the article shows a group of coins that were found by James Troutman, who worked for Dunfield at the time. The caption states that the coins pictured were found on Oak Island. One in particular, identified as a Short Cross Coin, is very intriguing. As identified by Troutman, these coins would be English silver pennies from the Short Cross Period (1180–1247). Although in reviewing examples, it’s not a great match. Troutman’s coin shows what appears to be a Maltese Cross that could have been used by the Portuguese.
Unfortunately, the article doesn’t make it 100% clear if the coin was indeed found on Oak Island because it also mentions Troutman’s involvement with a planned Sable Island expedition. Although, it was cited that several of these coins were found and in the possession of Troutman at the time. If it can be established that these coins were in fact found on Oak Island in the same place, it could be very important. This author would highly recommend that the picture be shown to a Numismatist, like Sandy Campbell, to check the coin’s origin and dating. If multiple same/like coins were found, then there may be smoke to the fire for treasure on Oak Island. The author has reached out to reputable sources for clarification and will update readers next week on what was learned.
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Good day from Daniel of the Compendium!