Oak Island: Roman Coins, Military Artifacts, and a New Chapter in the Hunt for Lost Treasure

Ancient Coins Unearthed at Lot 5

The treasure hunt on Oak Island continues to deliver remarkable discoveries. The latest chapter unfolds at Lot 5—previously dubbed the “treasure zone” by the team—after five coins were discovered there in prior seasons. Recent carbon dating results on three of the coins confirmed they were ancient Roman coins, estimated to be over 2,000 years old, dramatically expanding the historical context of activity on the island.

Buoyed by this breakthrough, longtime searchers Rick Lagina and Gary Drayton returned to the site to explore further. Flags marking zones of strong metal detection signals were placed throughout the area. During initial excavations, they recovered yet another small metal coin, reinforcing their theory that Lot 5 may have been a route or hiding place used by early treasure transporters—possibly pirates or military forces.

The Lead Bag Seal and Industrial Connections

Back in the lab, metallurgical testing identified the object as a lead bag seal, a fastener commonly used in Europe as early as the 13th century to seal large shipments of industrial or military goods. While not a treasure in itself, the seal’s historical implications intrigued the team.

This find was particularly significant when compared to a similar artifact found three years ago on Lot 32—a lead seal whose isotope composition matched that of a 14th-century lead cross discovered at Smith’s Cove in 2017. Together, these items suggest a deeper, consistent historical narrative involving military or logistical activity on the island over several centuries.

Markings That Point to 18th Century London

The latest bag seal bore engraved letters: C, K, E, and R, which puzzled the team until further research linked the markings to the “Illo Packers London”, a British cloth shipping company. Records suggest that the company supplied materials in large quantities—possibly to the British Army.

Further examination revealed an archaic use of the letter “I” in place of “J,” a linguistic clue suggesting the company’s operations may date as far back as the 15th century. This places the seal’s arrival on Oak Island sometime between the 1400s and 1700s, reinforcing the hypothesis of military or commercial presence during that period.

Discovery of a Lead Musket Ball and Possible Naval Links

During a subsequent scan of the area, Rick and Gary uncovered another object: a small lead ball, later identified as a small-caliber lead shot. Based on its size and condition, the artifact likely dates to the 18th century, possibly aligning with the 1746 Duke d’Anville expedition, a French naval mission long speculated to be connected to Oak Island’s treasure lore.

A second nearby find, initially believed to be a shell casing, was later confirmed to be a ramrod guide—a musket component used for loading projectiles. Such devices originated in the early 16th century, supporting theories of French or British military involvement on the island.

Game-Changing Revelation: Roman Numerals

Perhaps the most unexpected discovery came after the ramrod guide was scanned using a Skyscan 1273 CT scanner, a device that reveals internal structures without damaging the artifact. The scan exposed something that surprised even the seasoned team: Roman numerals carved into the object, a detail never before seen on any known Oak Island artifact.

This revelation immediately evoked memories of a past discovery from the 1970s, when the late Dan Blankenship uncovered a U-shaped wooden structure at Smith’s Cove, also inscribed with Roman numerals. That structure was believed to be part of a flood tunnel booby trap connected to the original Money Pit—suggesting a possible engineering continuity or common purpose between the artifacts.

Connecting the Dots: From Smith’s Cove to Lot 5

These discoveries have prompted renewed speculation about the Duke d’Anville expedition, which some believe buried treasure on Oak Island. The repeated presence of Roman numerals, military artifacts, and European industrial seals lends further credibility to theories that Oak Island was used by European forces—perhaps covertly—for logistical or treasure-related activities.

While questions remain—such as how these objects arrived on the island and what their exact purpose was—the Oak Island team believes they are closer than ever to solving the island’s 228-year-old mystery.

Next Steps in the Investigation

Armed with new data and mounting historical clues, the team will continue its investigation across key areas: Lot 5, the “Aladdin’s Cave,” and deeper sections of the Money Pit. Using high-definition cameras, sonar, and metal detection equipment, they aim to uncover additional evidence to support their findings.

With artifacts now tracing back to Roman times, and new links to 18th-century military logistics, the mystery of Oak Island has grown even more complex—and potentially more solvable. For Rick and Marty Lagina and their team, the pursuit of truth, treasure, or both remains as determined as ever.