If you’ve spent any time scouring the internet for clues to a hidden chest filled with gold coins and Michael Jordan rookie cards, you’ve definitely run into the name Jon Collins-Black. He's the guy who basically turned the United States into a giant escape room with his book There’s Treasure Inside. But as the hype around the $2 million hunt grows, a weirdly persistent question keeps popping up in Reddit threads and treasure-hunting forums. Is that his actual name?
Honestly, in the world of high-stakes treasure hunts, people are naturally skeptical. They want to know who is actually behind the curtain. After all, if you're going to spend your weekends hiking through the wilderness based on a poem, you kinda want to know the guy who wrote it isn't a ghost.
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What is Jon Collins-Black’s real name?
Let's get right to it. According to various public records, business filings, and deep-dives from the treasure-hunting community, the man known as Jon Collins-Black was born Jon Comer.
It’s not some dark, conspiratorial secret. It’s actually pretty common for people in the creative arts or those who have had previous lives in the business world to adopt a slightly more "brand-friendly" or distinct name. For Jon, the transition seems to have happened as he moved from his earlier career in music and tech into this new role as an author and "professional treasure hider."
If you look back at his history in Statesville, North Carolina—where he grew up—he was Jon Comer. He even attended Statesville High. If you’re a real sleuth, you can still find traces of his earlier life under the Comer name, including his time in the Jon Collins Band. See what he did there? He took his first name and his middle name, "Collins," to create a stage persona. Later, he added "Black" to the mix, resulting in the triple-barreled name we see on the cover of his book today.
Why the name change?
Why would someone change their name right before burying a couple million dollars in the woods? People have a lot of theories. Some think it’s a clue. You know, "Black" is a color, "Collins" could mean something else—maybe it’s all part of the puzzle?
But usually, the truth is way more boring. Jon has talked about how he wanted a name that felt right for this specific "legacy" project. He spent nearly five years putting this hunt together. He bought items like an emerald once owned by Andrew Carnegie and a literal piece of the moon. When you’re doing something that grand, "Jon Comer" might have felt a bit too everyday. Jon Collins-Black sounds like a character from an adventure novel. It fits the vibe.
Also, it provides a layer of privacy. He lives near Los Angeles with his wife and two kids. When you announce to the world that you’ve hidden five treasure chests, you probably don’t want people showing up at your front door at 3:00 AM asking for a hint. Using a professional name helps keep his family life separate from the thousands of people currently trying to solve his riddles.
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From North Carolina minister’s son to Bitcoin millionaire
To understand the man, you have to look at where he came from. He wasn't born into a pile of gold. His father was a minister who literally built a log cabin with his own hands on 20 acres of land in North Carolina. That’s where Jon’s obsession with the outdoors started. He spent his childhood chasing snakes and digging holes, probably looking for things even then.
His path to becoming the "American Forrest Fenn" wasn't a straight line:
- The Music Era: He spent years as a musician. This is where "Jon Collins" first appeared.
- The Tech Pivot: He eventually got into the digital world, selling a self-help website and becoming an early investor in Bitcoin.
- The Crypto Boom: That Bitcoin investment is what provided the "treasure" money. He didn't just find a chest; he bought the items one by one at auctions.
- The Author Transition: After the Fenn treasure was found in 2020, Jon realized there was a void. He wanted to create a hunt that was "analogue"—something that got people off their phones and into the woods.
Is "Collins-Black" a clue in the hunt?
This is where the treasure hunters get really intense. Some searchers on Discord believe the hyphenated name is a hint for a specific location. They point out that in Part II of his book, the pages are black. Is it a coincidence that the second part of his name is "Black"? Maybe. Or maybe it’s just a stylistic choice.
One user on the r/treasureinside subreddit pointed out that both Collins and Black are surnames found in his extended family tree. If that’s true, he’s basically just honoring his heritage while creating a more distinct public identity.
What you should actually focus on
Look, knowing his real name is Jon Comer is a fun bit of trivia, but it probably won't help you find the "Lion's Share" chest. Jon has stated repeatedly that every single clue you need is inside the book There’s Treasure Inside. He isn't trying to trick you with his legal identity.
If you’re serious about finding the loot, here is what actually matters:
- The Poem: Like the Fenn hunt before it, the text is everything. Read it until the words lose meaning, then read it again.
- Topography: Jon hiked over 100 miles to hide these boxes. He used Google Maps to scout locations but physically placed them himself. He's looking for places that are beautiful but safe—no private land, no dangerous cliffs.
- The Map: The book contains maps and origin stories for the items. Pay attention to the details in the stories; they often provide the context for the "where."
Jon Collins-Black (or Jon Comer, if you want to be technical) has created something pretty special here. Whether you call him by his birth name or his pen name, the gold is real, the locations are out there, and the mystery is just getting started.
Your next steps for the hunt
If you're ready to move past the name debate and actually start searching, your best bet is to join the community. Sites like TreasureInside.com are the official hub, but the real "boots on the ground" intel is happening in Discord servers and Reddit. Just remember: stay safe, respect the land, and don't go digging on anyone's private property. The treasure is out there, but it's meant to be a fun adventure, not a legal headache.