BOSTON (AP) — When Jim Sanborn created the Kryptos sculpture at CIA headquarters, his aim was to craft something that symbolized espionage and coded messages. The sculpture, an impressive 10-foot-tall copper piece resembling a fax output, includes a series of staggered alphabets essential for decoding the four encrypted messages.
Sanborn initially believed that the first three messages, now identified as K1, K2, and K3, would be cracked swiftly. Indeed, they were deciphered relatively quickly. However, the fourth message, K4, continues to fascinate and elude even seasoned cryptologists after 35 years.
As the creator of Kryptos nears 80, he has experienced health challenges, prompting him to auction the solution to K4 to a knowledgeable new owner who can interconnect with the dedicated Kryptos community. The auction, managed by RR Auction, is in progress until November 20, with bids already reaching $201,841.
“Kryptos has garnered international attention since its installation in 1990,” stated Bobby Livingston from RR Auction. “K4 has challenged both experts and amateurs for decades; now the winner may unlock its hidden message.”
Included in the auction is Sanborn's archive, which contains all necessary items to decipher K4, alongside alternate text dubbed K5. The original coding charts for K1, K2, and K3 are also part of the auction package. Sanborn ensured that these elements were vetted by the CIA's Department of Historical Intelligence to confirm there was nothing inappropriate.
The discovery of a document containing details of K4's enciphering method just before the auction complicates the scenario. Researcher Jarett Kobek and journalist Richard Byrne uncovered original texts filed within the Smithsonian, raising questions about the auction's legitimacy.
Despite initial shock and regret concerning the revelation, Sanborn pressed on with the auction. He is now in a position to determine future custodianship of Kryptos.
Moreover, community sentiments suggest many prefer K4 remain unsolved, marking it as integral to Kryptos's mystique. Sanborn successfully crafted the thematic narrative, infusing layers of complexity akin to puzzles or 'nesting dolls,' making it an intricate challenge for codebreakers.
The auction signifies an end of an era for Sanborn, whose other artworks have left their marks, but none resonate as powerfully as Kryptos.
