=SUM(L3:E7)

Here are all the hints so far, including the "hidden" ones. That thirty bucks is burning a hole in my pocket and I'm getting unsure about your chances. Time is running out. You all have only 9 (thats 3 squared) days left. Then cryptology month is over. Just in time for something. Hmm...

21366 87125 01468 52125 25724

25222 45124 48283 70129 87665

Hints Thus Far:

1. The code has 50 characters in it. The spaces mean nothing.
2. Spaces and punctuation were not encoded.
3. Letter frequency will not help you, for the coding nullifies it. The number frequency is off though... Look into that.
4. It can be decoded on paper, and it was encoded on paper. (Microsoft Excel could help you organize your guesses though)
5. The cleartext (uncoded text) contained 33 characters (not including spaces, which were not encoded).
6. Capitalization plays no part in the cypher.

New Hints:

1. The start date was carefully chosen so that regular coverage could resume before an important event. Yes this is a clue.
2. The cleartext (decoded text) contains my pen-name: "Torwch".
3. While my encryption technique is unique, it is closely based on part of a cypher used by a soviet spy. A spy named... No, I've said too much.

Good luck.