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On the Hunt for Zamak Treasure

Shannon Wetzel

In April, clever Seattle puzzle enthusiasts went on a clue-led hunt for treasure in the Emerald City Search. Their object of desire: a medallion cast in ZAMAK by Seattle-based metal casting company

Morel Industries, owned by Steve and Mark Morel. First person to find the medallion in the week-long search won a year’s worth of cultural experiences in the city, totaling nearly $9,000.
 

The theme for this year’s Emerald City Search was the 1962 World’s Fair held in Seattle, and the organizers of the puzzle hunt were tickled to discover Morel Industries had ties to the fair. The owner’s grandfather Leon Morel had cast several large bronze pieces for it, including a well-known fountain sculpture in front of the Intiman Theatre.
 
You can read more about the Emerald City Search hunt–which sounds like a blast for the Robert Langdon in you–here.
 
According to emeraldcitysearch.org, an engraver etched the art into machined blanks, which were used to create the molds. The end result is impressive.