diff --git a/modules/ripple_data/crypto/ripple_Base58Data.cpp b/modules/ripple_data/crypto/ripple_Base58Data.cpp
index d8c0a9d85..6623a79d3 100644
--- a/modules/ripple_data/crypto/ripple_Base58Data.cpp
+++ b/modules/ripple_data/crypto/ripple_Base58Data.cpp
@@ -109,8 +109,16 @@ bool CBase58Data::operator> (const CBase58Data& b58) const { return CompareTo(b5
 
 std::size_t hash_value(const CBase58Data& b58)
 {
-	std::size_t seed = HashMaps::getInstance ().getNonce <size_t> ()
-                       + (b58.nVersion * 0x9e3779b9);
+    // VFALCO: TODO, figure out what this is for and whether or
+    //               not it affects the protocol specification.
+    //
+    //         NOTE, this constant is used elsewhere as well.
+    //               should it be DRY?
+    //
+    const std::size_t mysteriousConstant = 0x9e3779b9;
+
+    std::size_t seed = HashMaps::getInstance ().getNonce <size_t> ()
+                       + (b58.nVersion * mysteriousConstant);
 
     boost::hash_combine (seed, b58.vchData);
 	
diff --git a/src/cpp/ripple/SHAMap.cpp b/src/cpp/ripple/SHAMap.cpp
index 663e43177..c232eec72 100644
--- a/src/cpp/ripple/SHAMap.cpp
+++ b/src/cpp/ripple/SHAMap.cpp
@@ -29,6 +29,9 @@ void SHAMapNode::setMHash() const
     // VFALCO: TODO, figure out what this is for and whether or
     //               not it affects the protocol specification.
     //
+    //         NOTE, this constant is used elsewhere as well.
+    //               should it be DRY?
+    //
     const std::size_t mysteriousConstant = 0x9e3779b9;
 
     std::size_t h = HashMaps::getInstance ().getNonce <std::size_t> ()