Local Collector Turns Rogers Park into Real-Life Treasure Hunt with Historic Coins

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Rogers Park · October 24, 2025

Rogers Park residents are taking part in a unique neighborhood adventure as local coin collector Jon Martin continues his treasure hunt, hiding rare early American coins throughout the community. Martin, a 38-year-old neighborhood resident with an extensive collection, is gradually placing 10 copper and silver coins from the early 1800s in various locations around Rogers Park through the end of the year. Three coins—including an 1830 Coronet Head Large Cent, an 1806 Draped Bust Large Cent, and a rare 1800 Draped Bust Half Cent—have already been discovered since the hunt began in mid-August.

Martin shares clues to the coins' locations through the Nextdoor app, posting photos containing subtle hints that locals can recognize. What started as a spontaneous idea has evolved into an educational opportunity, bringing awareness to these historically significant coins that are beginning to corrode and may not be identifiable in another century. "I don't know, maybe one kid or one person will find one and it will ignite a passion," Martin said. "If I could do anything, I guess the hope would be to get younger people to appreciate an era of coinage that most people don't even know about at all." The coins are particularly special because they were handmade in the early 1800s, with coin makers using handcrafted dies to individually press each detail, letter, and number—a far cry from today's automated processes.

For those interested in joining the hunt, previous coins were discovered in locations like a little library box at Glenwood and Arthur avenues and on a cinder block near an alley north of that intersection. Each coin comes with a note from Martin. The seven remaining coins to be distributed date between 1800 and 1835, with fewer than 10,000 of each left in the world. Follow the Rogers Park Nextdoor community for upcoming clues and join neighbors in this educational treasure hunt that's bringing the community together through a shared appreciation of history.

Sources:
1. https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2025/08/29/a-real-life-treasure-hunt-unfolds-on-the-north-side-as-collector-drops-coins-clues-around-rogers-park
2. https://www.wbez.org/history/2025/09/02/a-real-life-treasure-hunt-unfolds-on-the-north-side-as-collector-drops-coins-clues-around-rogers-park