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Concealment device
In spy tradecraft, virtually any common object can be converted into a
concealment device.
Take for instance this ordinary coin that has been
machined in such a way that it can be taken apart, revealing a tiny secret
storage compartment for small objects, such as a piece of microfilm [1].
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The 50 Euro-cent coin
shown here is identical to any other 50 Euro-cent
coin in every respect, except for the fact that it can be taken apart.
It is constructed from two different coins of which a small
storage compartment has been milled-out at the center. Once pressed together,
it can not be distinguised from any ordinary coin.
As is is a tight fit, it will not open accidently. In order to get access
to the secret internal stash, the user needs a special
aluminium ring
with a narrow rig on the inside.
The coin is inserted in this ring
and then tapped firmly on the table.
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After a few attempts, the coin will come apart
and reveal its inner secrets.
During the Cold War, coins like this were used for hiding pieces of microfilm
on which secret documents were copied. The coin could be carried in the owners
wallet and would not be discovered during a search.
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Today, the coin could easily be used to hide a computer chip, like a
Micro-SD memory card.
Such memory cards can hold thousands or even millions of secret documents.
If we assume that one A4 page of text takes 4KB, the 32GB memory card shown
above can hold 8 million pages! And even if the pages contain images,
there is still room for many thousands of them.
The hollow Euro coin shown above is a high-quality reproduction
made by Dereu & Sons in the US
[2]. It comes with the special
aluminium rigged ring
that is needed for opening the coin.
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Coins like this can be odered on the internet and can still be useful
concealments
in today's world. It can be hidden in your appartment without
attracting any attention, and it is unlikely that it would ever be found,
even if the appartment was thoroughly searched.
And for those who live outside of Europe: this type of concealment device
is also available as a UK-Pound and US-Dollar
(half or quarter dollar).
Naturally, Crypto Museum would not advise any illegal use of this device.
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© Crypto Museum. Created: Friday 14 August 2015. Last changed: Tuesday, 13 June 2017 - 10:50 CET.
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