Rogers Park Resident Resumes Popular Rare Coin Treasure Hunt for Holiday Season
By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Rogers Park ·
Rogers Park residents have a unique opportunity to discover pieces of American history this holiday season as local coin collector Jon Martin resumes his popular neighborhood treasure hunt. Martin, who temporarily paused the activity earlier this fall, is hiding rare coins from the early 1800s throughout the community with clues posted on the Nextdoor app to help neighbors locate these historical treasures.
The hunt features coins that are among fewer than 10,000 remaining in the world, including half cents and large cents that many people, even dedicated collectors, have never encountered. "Most of these coins are denominations that most people don't even know exist," Martin explained about the unique pieces in his collection. Each hidden coin comes with information about its historical significance, with Martin hoping to spark interest in numismatics among residents of all ages in Rogers Park's diverse community.
Residents interested in participating should follow Martin's posts on Nextdoor for clues about the remaining coins' locations, which typically include photos with subtle hints that locals would recognize. Previous finds have included locations like little library boxes and neighborhood landmarks. With several more coins scheduled for distribution before year's end, this community-building activity offers Rogers Park residents a fun way to explore their neighborhood while potentially discovering a piece of American history worth preserving.
Sources:
1. https://news.wttw.com/2025/11/13/chicago-coin-collector-planned-treasure-hunts-share-his-collection-things-changed-when
2. 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