Guest Post by Beth Hovanec
The Great NFT Treasure Hunt debuted this past summer. You can find detailed information on the website, https://thegreatnfttreasurehunt.com/
NFT stands for Non-Fungible Tokens. They are cryptographic assets with unique identification codes that distinguish them from each other. They are not like cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin, which is always equal in value to another bitcoin. NFTs can not be replicated. Because each NFT is distinct, they are ideal for digitally representing artwork. It makes buying, selling and trading art more efficient and it reduces the probability of fraud. Today’s market for NFTs is mostly centered around collecting this digital artwork.
The Great NFT Treasure Hunt was created by someone who mysteriously called themselves “Cryptographer_X”. The hunt was based in Southern California. There were 32 different NFTs representing artwork up for grabs. Thirty of the NFTs required BOTG (Boots on the Ground) to locate the treasure. The artwork itself was a clue to where you could find a hidden certificate, in an envelope, to claim your NFT art. Two of the NFTs did not require BOTG. They were similar to puzzles and codes and could be solved from anywhere in the world.
Five of our community members formed a team led by Jen Rao to try to solve these clues and claim these NFTs. The other team members were Nadine Cox, Kris Preacher, Elyse Pasquale and Beth Hovanec. Between them, this group has some impressive credentials. Among some of the hunts that they have solved, either alone or in groups, include The Golden CD, Clock Without A Face, Digital Buried Treasure, Forgotten History Hunts, Secret Red Herrings, It’s in LA, Cache Game, Twenty-One Paintings and a Key, Tone in the Trees, The Great US Treasure Hunt, and many, many more not mentioned here!
Each piece of art was an X on a solid background. The X, however, was filled with an image of a location. That location was somewhere in Southern California. Sound easy? Some images were very abstract and would show only a small portion or some design element from the location. Some of the final locations included a ship wreck at Palos Verdes, the San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant, the Pirate Tower at Laguna Beach, Rumbi and Rangui Sculpture in Bonita, and the Guardian Lions on Route 66.
Jen Rao, who lives in Southern California, was the intrepid BOTG team member, traveling to these locations, many times more than once. On each mission, she added tools to the trunk of her car: a grabber, a ladder, tweezers to name a few. The certificates which were the proxy item for the NFT were hidden in some unusual, and hard-to-get-to locations. Often times, Jen would travel to a location the team was sure about, but find no certificate. After contacting Cryptographer_X, he would confirm the location, but say that perhaps someone else got there first, or that it blew away. Some certificates were only secured with duct tape, and in harsh outdoor weather conditions, this was not ideal.
The team recovered 15 of the 32 total NFTs! And Jen had traveled to several more correct locations only to find that the certificate was missing.
Cyrptographer_X is planning to do another of these hunts next year. Hopefully he will work out some of the issues, such as finding a better way to secure the certificates. Over all, this was a fun and addicting hunt. The team hopes to have more competition next time!