MW Codes, Ciphers, and Puzzle Series: Number Codes

There are many variations or types of substitution ciphers.  One of the more simpler types is a number cipher.  A number cipher is where a number takes the place of a letter in the alphabet.  This can be done by numbering each letter of the alphabet, 1 thru 26, and substituting the letter’s position, with the number, accordingly.

For instance, A thru Z would then be 1 thru 26.  A=1, B=2 and so forth to Z=26.

This method of cipher is found used in one the Fandango Armchair Treasure Hunt. This hunt (as of this writing) is unsolved and offers a $10,000 cash prize.  On page 44 of the book, numbers on a license plate are noticed as shown below:

If a person were to substitute those numbers with the alphabet according to position, starting with 1, the word ACADIA is given.  Acadia National Park is one of the prime locations mentioned in the book.  A possible clue?

This number cipher system was also used in the MW Treasure Hunts.  As seen below, the word ‘MODERATION’ (written backward) was found.

While the easiest form of a number cipher is demonstrated above, there are alternate methods.  A keyword could first be applied to the alphabet, so that 1 would relate to the first letter of the keyword, and not the letter A, and so on.

For instance, let’s apply the keyword, MYSTERIOUS, to the alphabet.  All letters of the Keyword, without duplicate, are placed before the remaining alphabet letters are placed.

M	Y	S	T	E	R	I	O	U	A	B	C	D	F	G	H	J	K	L	N	P	Q	V	W	X	Z
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26

The word WRITINGS could then be written as:  24-6-7-4-7-20-15-3.  To decode, one reverses the process.

Which if someone tried to decode this without applying the keyword to the alphabet first, and assumed the simpler form of encoding method, they would get: XFGDGTOC

So many codes and ciphers!  So many options.

However, usually, in a hunt, if it isn’t a ‘simple form’, clues are given to hint to possible keywords or other methods which need used to decipher the encrypted messages being given.

 

Best of luck with all that you seek!  Treasure the Adventure!

Here is an image of the complete MW treasure hunt scroll just for fun, if you would like to try it.  (A solution was found and its $250 prize awarded)  Solution Here (scroll 3)