Oak Island and the Order of Christ: Tracking a 14th-Century Silver Hoard

Following the Templar Trail Across Two Oceans

Rick Lagina has traced a centuries-old trail 2,000 miles from Nova Scotia to a 15th-century church on Terceira Island in the Portuguese Azores. Accompanied by Peter Fornetti, Doug Crowell, Corjan Mol, and historian Emiliano Sacchetti, Rick examined carved symbols — the “goose paw” — previously linked to Templar activity. These markings appeared on multiple sites across Europe and even near Oak Island, suggesting a direct connection between the Azores and Nova Scotia.

The Church of Nossa Senhora de Conceição

Constructed between 1460 and 1474 by Álvaro Martins Homem, a Portuguese nobleman tied to the royal house controlling the Order of Christ, the church featured the distinctive goose paw carvings. Rick and his team were allowed inside, where the symbol was confirmed above the chapel doorway. Emiliano Sacchetti, familiar with Templar sites in Italy, recognized the markings immediately. The symbol’s precision indicated it was made deliberately, not as decoration.

Linking the Azores to Oak Island

Historical evidence shows that the Order of Christ, successor to the Knights Templar, financed exploration, trade, and naval missions in the 14th and 15th centuries. The pattern of goose paw symbols from Portugal to Oak Island suggests a deliberate method of marking locations tied to treasure or sacred artifacts.

The Pitblado Coin: A Key to the Treasure

Rick’s team brought the Pitblado coin — a 14th-century Portuguese silver piece recovered from Oak Island in 1849 — to the Azores for expert analysis. Numismatist Alberto Silva confirmed the coin was minted in Lisbon between 1369 and 1372 under King Ferdinand I during the Fernandine Wars. Fewer than 100 such coins survive today, suggesting that the majority were deliberately removed and transported elsewhere, possibly to Oak Island.

Water Tests Corroborate the Treasure Theory

Back on Oak Island, caisson core samples show elevated silver concentrations in groundwater nearly 200 feet below the surface. This matches expectations if a mass of 14th-century silver coins remains buried, slowly leaching into the surrounding soil over centuries.

Implications of the Discovery

• The coin and water tests suggest the Oak Island treasure remains largely untouched.
• Goose paw symbols across Europe and Nova Scotia indicate a network established by the Order of Christ.
• The surviving coins’ rarity implies deliberate relocation, consistent with hidden vaults or caches.
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Next Steps in the Oak Island Investigation

Rick, Peter, Doug, and Corjan continue to monitor the caisson and prepare additional core samples. The team aims to locate more coins, artifacts, or evidence that could finally validate the centuries-old Order of Christ theory. Each foot of bedrock drilled brings the team closer to a potential discovery that could rewrite a chapter of history.

Conclusion: A 200-Year Mystery on the Verge of Resolution

The Oak Island expedition, combined with archival research, numismatic analysis, and European Templar connections, points to the possible existence of a massive silver hoard hidden by the Order of Christ. The convergence of historical evidence and modern scientific testing makes this the most compelling lead in over two centuries.

The treasure may still lie beneath Nova Scotia, waiting to be uncovered, guided by symbols left across two continents and seven centuries of careful planning.