Gary Drayton and Emma Culligan Analyze 17th Century Silver Coin on Oak Island | The Curse of Oak Island S12E1

In the premiere episode of Season 12 of The Curse of Oak Island, titled “The New Digs,” which aired on November 12, 2024, the spotlight returns to Lot 5, where metal detection expert Gary Drayton and team member Peter Fornetti resume spoil pile investigations near a mysterious round stone foundation. Their search yields a significant find: a cut silver coin, potentially of Spanish or European origin.

Gary, recognizing the style of the break, immediately speculates that the item could be a piece of silver currency intentionally cut for change—a common practice among seafarers and traders between the 15th and 18th centuries. The excitement escalates as he and Peter bring the coin to the Oak Island lab, where they are joined by Rick Lagina and Jack Begley for analysis.

Archaeologist Laird Niven and archaeometallurgist Emma Culligan conduct the examination using CT and XRF scanning technology. While the CT scan reveals surface scratches, it is the XRF that provides a breakthrough—confirming the coin’s composition as silver with trace lead content. The scan also highlights partial inscriptions, including “GVLI,” which Emma links to a 17th-century English shilling from the reign of King William III. Emma explains, “So this right here is a William III shilling… silver, same diameter. And it matches the designs to a T.” Gary adds, “You can see the ponytail…” Emma continues, “And the little two triangles is its little ribbon.”

The coin is identified as a William III shilling from the 1690s, supporting earlier hypotheses that suggest Lot 5 was in use well before the 18th century. Emma’s identification prompts a conversation among the cast about whether this site served as a payment or supply hub, possibly tied to British military operations.

Doug Crowell references historical theories, including those by Graham Harris and Les MacPhie, that propose Sir William Phips and his British allies may have used Oak Island as part of failed treasure recovery efforts in the late 1600s and early 1700s. The coin’s characteristics lend credibility to those accounts, raising the possibility that Lot 5 may have been a temporary encampment or logistical station.

Marty and Rick Lagina join the discussion via video call, expressing optimism that this find could represent not just a coin, but a clue to prolonged human activity on Oak Island—activity that predated modern treasure hunts and may point to an organized effort to transport or recover valuable cargo.

Cast featured in this episode include Gary Drayton, Peter Fornetti, Rick Lagina, Marty Lagina, Laird Niven, Emma Culligan, Jack Begley, and Doug Crowell. The episode sets a strong foundation for the season, blending artifact recovery with historical inquiry and reinforcing Lot 5’s relevance in the broader Oak Island mystery.

The discovery of the 17th-century English silver coin may not prove the existence of treasure, but it adds another data point to the narrative that suggests Oak Island has served as more than just a legendary curiosity—it may have been a site of purposeful activity for centuries.