Bespoke

Non-standard methods inspired by the physical sculpture or military cipher systems. These approaches don't fit neatly into classical categories. Includes DRYAD charts, Morse code analysis, and coordinate-based approaches.

What we tested: VIC ciphers, DRYAD military charts, Morse code interpretations, coordinate-based approaches, and many other non-standard ideas have all been tested. The evidence increasingly points toward something outside textbook cipher families. Sanborn stated the method is "bespoke but hand-executable." The surviving possibilities include a procedural cipher using Sanborn's own encoding charts (the original was sold at auction in 2025 for $962,500).

123 eliminations recorded.

Title	Configs	Best	Verdict	Tier
VIC cipher narrative-driven sweep: Berlin Wall date + FIVE + NDYAHR top-row + 100K keygroups VIC cipher narrative-driven sweep: Berlin Wall date + FIVE + NDYAHR top-row + 100K keygroups — using military or Cold War era cipher systems (VIC, DRY…	922,400,000	9/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
VIC non-standard key schedule (personal_no as offset, CB alphabet from chain-add sort) VIC non-standard key schedule (personal_no as offset, CB alphabet from chain-add sort) — using military or Cold War era cipher systems (VIC, DRYAD, on…	256,816,000	10/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
2D matrix keying (punch-card model) 2D matrix keying (punch-card model) — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself. 26.1 million key/parameter combinations …	26,142,912	9/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Interrupted Key Vig Interrupted Key Vig — using military or Cold War era cipher systems (VIC, DRYAD, one-time pads, etc.). 14.7 million key/parameter combinations were te…	14,700,624	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Weltzeituhr orrery (solar system model) as K4 key material Weltzeituhr orrery (solar system model) as K4 key material — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself. 2.4 million key/p…	2,357,725	7/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
NDYAHR raised letters as VIC cipher keygroup digits NDYAHR raised letters as VIC cipher keygroup digits — using military or Cold War era cipher systems (VIC, DRYAD, one-time pads, etc.). 1.7 million key…	1,664,451	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Full VIC cipher pipeline (key generation + CB + double transposition) Full VIC cipher pipeline (key generation + CB + double transposition) — using military or Cold War era cipher systems (VIC, DRYAD, one-time pads, etc.…	1,311,903	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Sculpture Path Search Sculpture Path Search — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself. 977 thousand key/parameter combinations were tested.	976,765	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
DDR-era (1989) Weltzeituhr city list as K4 key material DDR-era (1989) Weltzeituhr city list as K4 key material — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself. 636 thousand key/par…	636,006	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
VIC cipher with K2 coordinate digits as direct Line-H VIC cipher with K2 coordinate digits as direct Line-H — using military or Cold War era cipher systems (VIC, DRYAD, one-time pads, etc.). 473 thousand …	472,800	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
ABSCISSA=x-coordinate hypothesis (addendum to E-ROMAN-04) ABSCISSA=x-coordinate hypothesis (addendum to E-ROMAN-04) — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself. 348 thousand key/p…	348,048	7/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Anomaly-derived cipher parameters Anomaly-derived cipher parameters — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself. 227 thousand key/parameter combinations we…	226,789	6/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Berlin Clock Perm Results Berlin Clock Perm Results — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself. 188 thousand key/parameter combinations were teste…	188,232	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
ABSCISSA/PALIMPSEST/KRYPTOS coordinate-based triple transposition ABSCISSA/PALIMPSEST/KRYPTOS coordinate-based triple transposition — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself. 188 thousa…	188,184	8/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
ITA-2/Baudot XOR with key-stepping ITA-2/Baudot XOR with key-stepping — using military or Cold War era cipher systems (VIC, DRYAD, one-time pads, etc.). 175 thousand key/parameter combi…	174,906	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
ITA-2/Baudot XOR with key-stepping ITA-2/Baudot XOR with key-stepping — using military or Cold War era cipher systems (VIC, DRYAD, one-time pads, etc.). 175 thousand key/parameter combi…	174,906	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
ITA-2/Baudot XOR with key-stepping ITA-2/Baudot XOR with key-stepping — using military or Cold War era cipher systems (VIC, DRYAD, one-time pads, etc.). 175 thousand key/parameter combi…	174,906	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
S S — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods. 77 thousand key/parameter combinations were tested.	76,582	6/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
S S — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself. 71 thousand key/parameter combinations were tested.	71,038	6/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Comprehensive Roman Numeral Hypothesis Comprehensive Roman Numeral Hypothesis — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods. 67 thousand key/parameter combinations w…	66,648	6/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Installation Key Split Combiner Installation Key Split Combiner — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself. 52 thousand key/parameter combinations were …	51,534	6/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
NATO/COMSEC protocol keys (DRYAD, KA running key, chain addition) NATO/COMSEC protocol keys (DRYAD, KA running key, chain addition) — using military or Cold War era cipher systems (VIC, DRYAD, one-time pads, etc.). E…	30,000	5/24 (0.0)	NOISE	Tier 2
Team Physical Transpositions Team Physical Transpositions — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself. 28 thousand key/parameter combinations were tes…	28,160	6/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Abscissa-derived linear keys Abscissa-derived linear keys from physical sculpture layout — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself. Every possible c…	25,000	5/24 (0.0)	NOISE	Tier 2
DRYAD-style matrix code lookup DRYAD-style matrix code lookup using computationally reconstructed grids — using military or Cold War era cipher systems (VIC, DRYAD, one-time pads, e…	15,000	3/24 (0.0)	NOISE	Tier 3
Roman numeral / coordinate-based decryption Roman numeral / coordinate-based decryption using sculpture position data — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods. Every…	10,000	4/24 (0.0)	NOISE	Tier 2
Soviet Threestep 20260328 Soviet Threestep 20260328 — using military or Cold War era cipher systems (VIC, DRYAD, one-time pads, etc.). 7 thousand key/parameter combinations wer…	7,290	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Weltzeituhr (World Clock) Berlin permutations Weltzeituhr (World Clock) Berlin permutations as transposition or key source — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself.…	6,000	4/24 (0.0)	NOISE	Tier 2
Wilson Prime Mask 20260324 Wilson Prime Mask 20260324 — using military or Cold War era cipher systems (VIC, DRYAD, one-time pads, etc.). 5 thousand key/parameter combinations we…	5,148	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Wilson Prime Mask 20260328 Wilson Prime Mask 20260328 — using military or Cold War era cipher systems (VIC, DRYAD, one-time pads, etc.). 5 thousand key/parameter combinations we…	5,148	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Misspelling-derived tableau reconstruction Misspelling-derived tableau reconstruction from K1-K3 known errors — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods. Every possib…	5,000	5/24 (0.0)	NOISE	Tier 2
Ubchi Null Insertion 20260328 Ubchi Null Insertion 20260328 — using military or Cold War era cipher systems (VIC, DRYAD, one-time pads, etc.). 5 thousand key/parameter combinations…	4,563	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Grid-coordinate-derived substitution keys on 73-char column mask extract Tested 150+ key derivation functions from (row, col) grid coordinates: row, col, row+col, row-col, \|col-15\|, modular keys, KRYPTOS keyword cycling, be…	3,726	5/24 (0.0)	NOISE	Tier 2
Sanborn 2025 clue phrases as key material (periodic, running, columnar, combined) Sanborn 2025 clue phrases as key material (periodic, running, columnar, combined) — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired method…	2,233	6/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Ct80 Cipher Attack Ct80 Cipher Attack — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods. 2 thousand key/parameter combinations were tested.	2,010	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Null palette letters encode numbers via visual resemblance (leetspeak) Null palette letters encode numbers via visual resemblance (leetspeak) — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods. 2 thousa…	1,935	5/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
26 padding E's in K0 Morse code carry cipher information for K4 26 padding E's in K0 Morse code carry cipher information for K4 — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself. 445 key/para…	445	5/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Physically-motivated extraction masks on K4 CT Physically-motivated extraction masks on K4 CT — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself. 379 key/parameter combination…	379	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Weltzeituhr procedural cipher + non-standard reading routes Weltzeituhr procedural cipher + non-standard reading routes — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself. 377 key/paramete…	377	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
ITA-2/Baudot mod-31 reflective encoding ITA-2/Baudot mod-31 reflective encoding — using military or Cold War era cipher systems (VIC, DRYAD, one-time pads, etc.). 288 key/parameter combinati…	288	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
ITA-2/Baudot mod-31 reflective encoding ITA-2/Baudot mod-31 reflective encoding — using military or Cold War era cipher systems (VIC, DRYAD, one-time pads, etc.). 288 key/parameter combinati…	288	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Null value sequence OBKOGBOWWKWIWGZIG used as key material for K4 decryption Null value sequence OBKOGBOWWKWIWGZIG used as key material for K4 decryption — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods. 14…	144	24/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
S S — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself. 43 key/parameter combinations were tested.	43	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
'The point' = compass EAST → EASTNORTHEAST direction as key seed 'The point' = compass EAST → EASTNORTHEAST direction as key seed — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
One or more crib positions may be mis-indexed by ±1 One or more crib positions may be mis-indexed by ±1 — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Berlin Clock Route Berlin Clock Route — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Map keystream Polybius coordinates to physical K4 grids Map keystream Polybius coordinates to physical K4 grids — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Morse Indexed Alphabet Morse Indexed Alphabet — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	ELIMINATED	N/A
K4 keystream derived from physical paper fold/overlay operations K4 keystream derived from physical paper fold/overlay operations — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself.	N/A	8/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
K5-inspired position-dependent cipher analysis K5-inspired position-dependent cipher analysis — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Key derived from dates, coordinates, words, or sculpture features Key derived from dates, coordinates, words, or sculpture features — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself.	N/A	6/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Coordinate and date-derived key experiments Coordinate and date-derived key experiments — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself.	N/A	8/24 (0.0)	NOISE	Tier 4
K2 Coordinate Key Generation K2 Coordinate Key Generation — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Procedural Anomaly Attacks Procedural Anomaly Attacks — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself.	N/A	7/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Wsw Compass Attack Wsw Compass Attack — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself.	N/A	7/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Yar Anomaly Audit Yar Anomaly Audit — using methods based on the physical properties of the sculpture itself.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
VIC Gap Close VIC Gap Close — using military or Cold War era cipher systems (VIC, DRYAD, one-time pads, etc.).	N/A	7/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Sawtooth Mask Sawtooth Mask — using military or Cold War era cipher systems (VIC, DRYAD, one-time pads, etc.).	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Sawtooth Mask Sawtooth Mask — using military or Cold War era cipher systems (VIC, DRYAD, one-time pads, etc.).	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Wheatstone Clock Wheatstone Clock — using military or Cold War era cipher systems (VIC, DRYAD, one-time pads, etc.).	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Wheatstone Clock Wheatstone Clock — using military or Cold War era cipher systems (VIC, DRYAD, one-time pads, etc.).	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Wheatstone Clock Wheatstone Clock — using military or Cold War era cipher systems (VIC, DRYAD, one-time pads, etc.).	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Col6 Defector Palette Col6 Defector Palette — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods. Best match: 15/24 known letters — slightly above random, …	N/A	15/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Crib Keystream Topology Crib Keystream Topology — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Crossmodel Palette Crossmodel Palette — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
DMPQ Exclusion Rule DMPQ Exclusion Rule — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Palette Index Mask Palette Index Mask — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Enrichment Topology Enrichment Topology — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
GKO Ap Analysis GKO Ap Analysis — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
GKO Key Sweep GKO Key Sweep — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
GKO Position Key GKO Position Key — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
GKO Reverse Plaintext GKO Reverse Plaintext — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Letter Shape Null Correlation Letter Shape Null Correlation — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Palette Deep Followup Palette Deep Followup — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Palette Deep Investigation Palette Deep Investigation — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Palette Ka Row Extremeness Palette Ka Row Extremeness — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Palette Mod35 Tiebreaker Palette Mod35 Tiebreaker — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Palette NDYAHR Investigation Palette NDYAHR Investigation — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Palette Null Separator Palette Null Separator — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Palette Null Separator Palette Null Separator — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Palette Position Rule Hunt Palette Position Rule Hunt — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Palette Reproducibility Audit Palette Reproducibility Audit — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Palette Reverse Specificity Palette Reverse Specificity — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
D13 Hybrid Exploitation D13 Hybrid Exploitation — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
AP-constrained pos 34-37 extension (pos 36 = null) AP-constrained pos 34-37 extension (pos 36 = null) — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
S 47b S 47b — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Ap Constrained SA Ap Constrained SA — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Argenti Null Rule Argenti Null Rule — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Berlin Cable Templates Berlin Cable Templates — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Berlin Wall Crib Drag Berlin Wall Crib Drag — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Error Hypothesis Error Hypothesis — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Period6 Comprehensive Period6 Comprehensive — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods. Best match: 16/24 known letters — slightly above random, …	N/A	16/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Period6 P13 Deep Period6 P13 Deep — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
TKAS TKAS — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods. Best match: 19/24 known letters (statistically expected at this key length…	N/A	19/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Fresh MCMC Attack Fresh MCMC Attack — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Gap Filling Four Tasks Gap Filling Four Tasks — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Phase 2: Global constant-difference rule sweep across all lags and deltas Phase 2: Global constant-difference rule sweep across all lags and deltas — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Grid Key Generation Grid Key Generation — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Keystream Ap Followup Keystream Ap Followup — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Keystream Ap Investigation Keystream Ap Investigation — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Keystream Ap Significance Keystream Ap Significance — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Memory Audit Memory Audit — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Positional keying via (pos%M, pos%N) lookup table Positional keying via (pos%M, pos%N) lookup table — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Mod35 Table Derivation Mod35 Table Derivation — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Model B Deep Investigation Model B Deep Investigation — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Null Char Assignment Null Char Assignment — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Null Insertion Structure Null Insertion Structure — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Prosign Interleave Model Prosign Interleave Model — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Statistical Appendix Bean Statistical Appendix Bean — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Statistical Validation Statistical Validation — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Stehle Delta4 Comprehensive Stehle Delta4 Comprehensive — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Table Generation Deep Table Generation Deep — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Ka 01 Keyed Tableau Ka 01 Keyed Tableau — using non-standard encryption tables or lookup charts.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Ka 02 Extended Gaps Ka 02 Extended Gaps — using non-standard encryption tables or lookup charts.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Tableau Keystream Tableau Keystream — using non-standard encryption tables or lookup charts.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Tableau OTP Tableau OTP — using non-standard encryption tables or lookup charts.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
Rowkey NDYAHR K2 Rowkey NDYAHR K2 — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods. Best match: 13/24 known letters — slightly above random, almos…	N/A	13/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
K3 NDYAHR Followup K3 NDYAHR Followup — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
K3 CT contains a second hidden message via NDYAHR letter removal/modification K3 CT contains a second hidden message via NDYAHR letter removal/modification — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
NDYAHR Blind Cryptanalysis NDYAHR Blind Cryptanalysis — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
NDYAHR Displacement NDYAHR Displacement — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
NDYAHR Paired Forces NDYAHR Paired Forces — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A
S S — using a method based on non-standard or physically-inspired methods.	N/A	0/24 (0.0)	NOISE	N/A