Recover Paper Wallet

[t00nces22]

Years ago I sent one BTC into a paper wallet and I would like to get it back out where I can access it. I don't remember how to check the hash and how to send it back where I can cash it out (not that I want to at this point) but I would like to get it into an active wallet where I can use it to trade. Any guidance would be appreciated... And I mean that. If you can help me, I'll send you $20 LTC or ETH or BTC.

[1715630945]

1715630945

[TryNinja]

Is your paper wallet a private-key (weird big string) or a backup seed (list of words)? How did you generate it?

You should be able to download Electrum (ELECTRUM.ORG), optionally verify the file signature for extra security (quick guide here) and import the private-key or seed to restore the wallet.

[bitcoinermatt]

If your wallet has a private key (long string), you can go on Blockchain.com and import the wallet there by entering the private key (If it has a QR code, you can scan it.) then, import the wallet from there using the private key and you will now be able to withdraw from this wallet's balance.

[pooya87]

Is your paper wallet a private-key (weird big string) or a backup seed (list of words)?

To clarify your private key can look like any of the following:
Base58 uncompressed private key (note the first character)
5Kb8kLf9zgWQnogidDA76MzPL6TsZZY36hWXMssSzNydYXYB9KF
Can be imported in any wallet that has the import option

Base58 compressed private key (note the first character it can also be K)
L53fCHmQhbNp1B4JipfBtfeHZH7cAibzG9oK19XfiFzxHgAkz6JK
Can be imported in any wallet that has the import option

Hexadecimal private key (note the length is 64 and characters are 0-9 and a-f)
E9873D79C6D87DC0FB6A5778633389F4453213303DA61F20BD67FC233AA33262
Has to be converted to a base58 (WIF) private key like the 2 examples above before the wallets accept it. To do that you could use this open source tool: https://github.com/pointbiz/bitaddress.org (run offline)

Base58 encrypted private key using BIP38 (note the first 2 characters)
6PRW8vhrsbZJdZDtVCKtfnPoN7ecWKraUagCDg7M9APkNGMxx3fbwMkysT
In this case you also must have the password that were used to encrypt this key and some wallets don't accept this type so it has to be decrypted first before you can import it in a wallet. You can use the bitaddress.org tool to decrypt it.
Password used here is "123" in case you want to test decrypting in that tool.

[t00nces22]

Is your paper wallet a private-key (weird big string) or a backup seed (list of words)? How did you generate it?

You should be able to download Electrum (ELECTRUM.ORG), optionally verify the file signature for extra security (quick guide here) and import the private-key or seed to restore the wallet.

I don't remember how it was generated. I generated it after BTC took a big hit and stuck it in a safety deposit box. I need to be able to put the hash where I can try several different passphrases to try to unlock it. I don't remember which one I used, but there are only so many I would have used.

If your wallet has a private key (long string), you can go on Blockchain.com and import the wallet there by entering the private key (If it has a QR code, you can scan it.) then, import the wallet from there using the private key and you will now be able to withdraw from this wallet's balance.

How do I import the key to a place I can try to open the coin with pass phrases?

To clarify your private key can look like any of the following:
Base58 uncompressed private key (note the first character)
5Kb8kLf9zgWQnogidDA76MzPL6TsZZY36hWXMssSzNydYXYB9KF
Can be imported in any wallet that has the import option

Base58 compressed private key (note the first character it can also be K)
L53fCHmQhbNp1B4JipfBtfeHZH7cAibzG9oK19XfiFzxHgAkz6JK
Can be imported in any wallet that has the import option

Hexadecimal private key (note the length is 64 and characters are 0-9 and a-f)
E9873D79C6D87DC0FB6A5778633389F4453213303DA61F20BD67FC233AA33262
Has to be converted to a base58 (WIF) private key like the 2 examples above before the wallets accept it. To do that you could use this open source tool: https://github.com/pointbiz/bitaddress.org (run offline)

Base58 encrypted private key using BIP38 (note the first 2 characters)
6PRW8vhrsbZJdZDtVCKtfnPoN7ecWKraUagCDg7M9APkNGMxx3fbwMkysT
In this case you also must have the password that were used to encrypt this key and some wallets don't accept this type so it has to be decrypted first before you can import it in a wallet. You can use the bitaddress.org tool to decrypt it.
Password used here is "123" in case you want to test decrypting in that tool.

I have two keys. One appears to be the first type of hash and the other is the second hash.

Again, I need to get the hash where I can beat it up with passphrases until I can unlock it.

Thank you to all three of you.

[tyz]

-snip-

It seems the first hash is your public key and the second one your private key. If so, you are good. To get access to your Bitcoins you need to import the private key into a wallet. I recommend Electrum wallet. Download and install it and follow the step-by-step tutorial[1] to import your private key.

[1] https://bitcoinelectrum.com/importing-your-private-keys-into-electrum/

[pooya87]

I have two keys. One appears to be the first type of hash and the other is the second hash.
Again, I need to get the hash where I can beat it up with passphrases until I can unlock it.

I'm assuming by "hash" you mean "string" because you don't need a hash. Private keys are numbers that are encoded using the common encoding methods I posted above and the resulting "strings" look like the examples with a specific starting character.
If you already have a string that looks like the first and second cases that start with letters 5, L or K then there is no passphrase needed. These strings ARE your private keys. Import them in Electrum as explained in previous comment.

[t00nces22]

-snip-

It seems the first hash is your public key and the second one your private key. If so, you are good. To get access to your Bitcoins you need to import the private key into a wallet. I recommend Electrum wallet. Download and install it and follow the step-by-step tutorial[1] to import your private key.

[1] https://bitcoinelectrum.com/importing-your-private-keys-into-electrum/

Yes, the paper wallet (I actually have two, one has a BTC and the other may or may not have anything) I have has both public and private keys. So, it I import both together, I will have access to the balance?

[t00nces22]

I have two keys. One appears to be the first type of hash and the other is the second hash.
Again, I need to get the hash where I can beat it up with passphrases until I can unlock it.

I'm assuming by "hash" you mean "string" because you don't need a hash. Private keys are numbers that are encoded using the common encoding methods I posted above and the resulting "strings" look like the examples with a specific starting character.
If you already have a string that looks like the first and second cases that start with letters 5, L or K then there is no passphrase needed. These strings ARE your private keys. Import them in Electrum as explained in previous comment.

Okay, I have two paper wallets and each one has a public and private key. Does the fact I have both unlock the wallet?

[khaled0111]

Download Electrum as TryNinja suggested (download it from the official website electrum.org), then import your private keys. Give it a minute to synchronize and it will display your balance.
When importing the private keys make sure to specify the right addresse's format.

[o_e_l_e_o]

So, it I import both together, I will have access to the balance?

You do not need to import either your addresses or your public keys. The only thing you need to import is your private keys - Electrum will derive the public key and the address automatically from the private key.

Okay, I have two paper wallets and each one has a public and private key. Does the fact I have both unlock the wallet?

The wallet will be "unlocked" simply by possession of the private key. The public key and/or address are simply printed so you can look up your balance or deposit more coins to the paper wallet without having to expose your private key. The private key is all that is needed to spend the funds, and is the only thing you need to import to Electrum.

[t00nces22]

Download Electrum as TryNinja suggested (download it from the official website electrum.org), then import your private keys. Give it a minute to synchronize and it will display your balance.
When importing the private keys make sure to specify the right addresse's format.

So, it I import both together, I will have access to the balance?

You do not need to import either your addresses or your public keys. The only thing you need to import is your private keys - Electrum will derive the public key and the address automatically from the private key.

Okay, I have two paper wallets and each one has a public and private key. Does the fact I have both unlock the wallet?

The wallet will be "unlocked" simply by possession of the private key. The public key and/or address are simply printed so you can look up your balance or deposit more coins to the paper wallet without having to expose your private key. The private key is all that is needed to spend the funds, and is the only thing you need to import to Electrum.

Thank you both. I will have to get the paper wallets and give it a try. I only recorded the pubic key. I thought the private key was just to send money to my wallet.

[t00nces22]

Hello, concerning your Paper wallet issue, if you want, I could help you recover it. You can send me a picture of the paper wallet and I'll tell you what to do from there.  

I got a PM from this guy and just for the record, I think the people here ought to see this....

[t00nces22]

Is your paper wallet a private-key (weird big string) or a backup seed (list of words)?

To clarify your private key can look like any of the following:
Base58 uncompressed private key (note the first character)
5Kb8kLf9zgWQnogidDA76MzPL6TsZZY36hWXMssSzNydYXYB9KF
Can be imported in any wallet that has the import option

Base58 compressed private key (note the first character it can also be K)
L53fCHmQhbNp1B4JipfBtfeHZH7cAibzG9oK19XfiFzxHgAkz6JK
Can be imported in any wallet that has the import option

Hexadecimal private key (note the length is 64 and characters are 0-9 and a-f)
E9873D79C6D87DC0FB6A5778633389F4453213303DA61F20BD67FC233AA33262
Has to be converted to a base58 (WIF) private key like the 2 examples above before the wallets accept it. To do that you could use this open source tool: https://github.com/pointbiz/bitaddress.org (run offline)

Base58 encrypted private key using BIP38 (note the first 2 characters)
6PRW8vhrsbZJdZDtVCKtfnPoN7ecWKraUagCDg7M9APkNGMxx3fbwMkysT
In this case you also must have the password that were used to encrypt this key and some wallets don't accept this type so it has to be decrypted first before you can import it in a wallet. You can use the bitaddress.org tool to decrypt it.
Password used here is "123" in case you want to test decrypting in that tool.

So, it I import both together, I will have access to the balance?

You do not need to import either your addresses or your public keys. The only thing you need to import is your private keys - Electrum will derive the public key and the address automatically from the private key.

Okay, I have two paper wallets and each one has a public and private key. Does the fact I have both unlock the wallet?

The wallet will be "unlocked" simply by possession of the private key. The public key and/or address are simply printed so you can look up your balance or deposit more coins to the paper wallet without having to expose your private key. The private key is all that is needed to spend the funds, and is the only thing you need to import to Electrum.

Okay, the two of you gave me the help that got the BTC back in my hands. $20 to each of you in BTC, ETH, or LTC.... Your choice. To all others who replied and offered help, thank you for the offered help, but the two replies I got from o_e_l_e_o and pooya87 were the ones that were detailed enough to allow me to get the coin back into my control. I can now invest in hookers and blow.

Thank you all,
Todd

[o_e_l_e_o]

No payment necessary, but if you insist then I would ask you donate my $20 in a currency of your choice to https://privacytools.io/donate/

Hello, concerning your Paper wallet issue, if you want, I could help you recover it. You can send me a picture of the paper wallet and I'll tell you what to do from there.  

I got a PM from this guy and just for the record, I think the people here ought to see this....

Would you be willing to let a trusted member verify that PM by logging in to your account?

[pooya87]

No payment necessary, but if you insist then I would ask you donate my $20 in a currency of your choice to https://privacytools.io/donate/

Same. I liked this idea.

[t00nces22]

No payment necessary, but if you insist then I would ask you donate my $20 in a currency of your choice to https://privacytools.io/donate/

Hello, concerning your Paper wallet issue, if you want, I could help you recover it. You can send me a picture of the paper wallet and I'll tell you what to do from there.  

I got a PM from this guy and just for the record, I think the people here ought to see this....

Would you be willing to let a trusted member verify that PM by logging in to your account?

Yes, that would be fine. Just let me know what I need to do and the admin can take a look.

$40 donation sent.

[o_e_l_e_o]

$40 donation sent.

https://etherscan.io/tx/0xc267ebb0f14f02280c11fb62f1bbcbb8c21d708cdde46eab077b9f8c5bc55064

Thank you!


Paging @LoyceV. Would you be happy to be a trusted third party and confirm this PM?

[t00nces22]

$40 donation sent.

https://etherscan.io/tx/0xc267ebb0f14f02280c11fb62f1bbcbb8c21d708cdde46eab077b9f8c5bc55064

Thank you!


Paging @LoyceV. Would you be happy to be a trusted third party and confirm this PM?

Okay, how did you get that transaction? Was it your website I donated to? Were you able to pick one transaction from millions? I have to admit I am a little creeped out unless I sent it to you. But, at least you know I was good for my word.

As far as that site goes, I am looking it over and seeing what tools would work for me. If it is your site, you may want to include https://vpn.mozilla.org/ . I just got a notice from Mozilla and it is lightweight and on the fly as far as I can tell and the price beats just about any VPN out there.

[o_e_l_e_o]

Haha, no, it's not my site. I simply plugged their receiving addresses in to block explorers for the relevant coins you mentioned (BTC, ETH, and LTC), looking for an incoming transaction made around the same time as your last post for roughly the correct value. Everything on most blockchains is completely public. Knowing an address is all that is needed to look at all transactions involving that address.

I wasn't aware Mozilla were offering a VPN, but on closer inspection it runs on the Mullvad VPN network, which is one of those recommended by privacytools.io. Do they accept bitcoin payments?