Everything Everywhere Daily Hollow Nickel Case
Nov 18, 2025
In 1953, a Brooklyn paperboy discovered a hollow nickel containing microfilm, igniting an FBI investigation into a spy ring. The mystery deepened as agents struggled with ciphers, but a defection in Paris revealed the coin's significance. Insights from a KGB defector linked the microfilm to Rudolf Abel, leading to his arrest and trial. This case not only exposed Soviet espionage tactics but also shaped U.S. counterintelligence strategies. Ultimately, it highlighted the impact of a child's chance find on Cold War dynamics.
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Kid Discovers Hollow Nickel
- 14-year-old Jimmy Bozart found a hollow nickel that split open to reveal microfilm with five-digit groups.
- His mention of the coin to a friend's cop father started an FBI investigation that initially had no leads.
One-Time Pads Make Decryption Nearly Impossible
- The microfilm used a one-time pad cipher which is theoretically unbreakable without the key sheet.
- The content mattered less than the clear use of sophisticated espionage tradecraft.
Defector Connects The Dots
- Defector Renjo Hauhanen in Paris revealed KGB tactics and even produced a matching hollow coin used by Soviet spies.
- His information let the FBI link the Brooklyn nickel to a specific agent and decrypt the message.