Thom Yorke, the enigmatic frontman of Radiohead, has once again stirred intrigue online with a cryptic post that has fans scrambling for clues. On Instagram, Yorke teased a global scavenger hunt involving “400 coins scattered across the world buried in earth, stone, shadow.” While the message is shrouded in mystery and offers no clear context, it evokes the same sense of curiosity and adventure seen in shows like Lost or films like Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
What’s known so far is that these are not digital or crypto coins but actual physical objects forged by a blacksmith. The link in Yorke’s bio leads to a landing page named “Waste Headquarters,” which hosts “The Forger’s Ledger.” This interactive site displays all 400 coins—some already found—and reveals detailed information about each coin’s location and discoverer when clicked, turning the whole experience into a digital treasure map.
Thom Yorke Sparks Global Mystery With 400 Hidden Coins and Cryptic ‘Forger’s Ledger’ ChallengeA Global Treasure Hunt Fueled by Mystery, Art, and Thom Yorke’s Unusual Clues
Fans have discovered coins in places as far-flung as Vermont and New Zealand, making it clear that this is an expansive, possibly global effort. The hunt seems to reward persistence and community sharing, as the website encourages anyone who finds a coin to notify “the forger.” The sense of mystery is heightened by the sparse instructions and myth-like tone of the original message, fueling fan speculation and engagement.
Adding another layer to the puzzle, the site also features a 12-minute video titled “The Forger at Work,” which introduces an atmospheric and potentially narrative component to the project. The video’s cryptic tone and artistic style deepen the sense of mystery and surrealism surrounding the entire endeavor. Whether this is a precursor to new music, a conceptual art piece, or something else entirely remains uncertain—but Yorke has once again managed to intrigue and bewilder his audience.