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Title: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: semperferox on November 03, 2012, 10:34:56 PM The British Museum is hosting an exhibition on the history of money around the world (http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/galleries/themes/room_68_money.aspx).
I came across this little gem there: https://i.imgur.com/Ba7lhl.jpg Go, if you get a chance. It's a great exhibition. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Akka on November 03, 2012, 10:38:13 PM Wow, that's really cool.
As it was donated by Casascius I suppose he knows about this. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: majorddf on November 03, 2012, 10:40:06 PM That's brilliant!
Pretty swish to see some BTC included in a history of money exhibition. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Raoul Duke on November 03, 2012, 10:41:34 PM Wow, that's really cool. Is that a Casascius coin? Wait until he sees it. If you read the text you'll see it says Quote Token made and donated by Casascius So... it shouldn't be a surprise to him.Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Akka on November 03, 2012, 10:42:19 PM Wow, that's really cool. Is that a Casascius coin? Wait until he sees it. If you read the text you'll see it says the coins were donated by Casascius himself. Already saw it and edited my message. Damn why are you so fast, nobody would have recognized it. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: odolvlobo on November 04, 2012, 04:59:20 AM That's awesome. Congratulations Casascius. Not many people can say them made something that ends up in a national museum.
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: casascius on November 04, 2012, 05:04:32 AM That's freaking awesome. I am aware the museum was interested in the coins and sent some without giving it a second thought but am super flattered to see they are being displayed.
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: gweedo on November 04, 2012, 05:09:41 AM That's freaking awesome. I am aware the museum was interested in the coins and sent some without giving it a second thought but am super flattered to see they are being displayed. Good Stuff looks awesome! Big step for Bitcoins I think at least! Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: panda1 on November 04, 2012, 05:12:48 AM Sweet, you've become historical!
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: ercolinux on November 04, 2012, 07:17:26 AM It's awesome to have a bitcoin in a musemum
Too bad that the explanation is very superficial Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Shawshank on November 04, 2012, 07:27:05 AM That is great. If anybody goes to the British Museum, can he take a picture with a higher resolution, post it here and state that it can be freely downloaded and used without royalty or compensation, both for commercial and non-commercial purposes? I would like to use it.
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: TheButterZone on November 04, 2012, 07:40:50 AM That's freaking awesome. I am aware the museum was interested in the coins and sent some without giving it a second thought but am super flattered to see they are being displayed. Are they loaded? Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: majorddf on November 04, 2012, 09:45:07 AM That's freaking awesome. I am aware the museum was interested in the coins and sent some without giving it a second thought but am super flattered to see they are being displayed. Are they loaded? I hope you are not thinking what I think your thinking... ;D Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Foxpup on November 04, 2012, 10:59:17 AM That's freaking awesome. I am aware the museum was interested in the coins and sent some without giving it a second thought but am super flattered to see they are being displayed. Are they loaded? I hope you are not thinking what I think your thinking... ;D I hope he is thinking what I think you think he's thinking. It'd be good publicity. :D Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Lethn on November 04, 2012, 11:02:55 AM Bitcoin tokens look shiny! :D
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: D.H. on November 04, 2012, 11:34:46 AM This is awesome. OP, would you allow us to reuse the picture? I would like to write about it on bitcoin.se.
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: semperferox on November 04, 2012, 11:40:13 AM To the extent possible under law, I have waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to the image, under the terms of the CC0 (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/).
Also, here's a high-res version: https://i.imgur.com/Ba7lh.jpg Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: D.H. on November 04, 2012, 11:42:32 AM To the extent possible under law, I have waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to the image, under the terms of the CC0 (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). Also, here's a high-res version: https://i.imgur.com/Ba7lh.jpg That's great, thanks! Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: casascius on November 04, 2012, 02:06:14 PM Just notice they have a detailed web page for each item:
http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/search_object_details.aspx?objectid=3451294&partid=1&searchText=g68%2F18*&numpages=10&orig=%2Fresearch%2Fsearch_the_collection_database.aspx¤tPage=5 Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: paraipan on November 04, 2012, 02:14:06 PM Just notice they have a detailed web page for each item: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/search_object_details.aspx?objectid=3451294&partid=1&searchText=g68%2F18*&numpages=10&orig=%2Fresearch%2Fsearch_the_collection_database.aspx¤tPage=5 Nice work Mike :) Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Otoh on November 04, 2012, 06:10:44 PM Congrats!
cc here: Excellent! I visited their history of money through the ages exhibition, which btw is permanent & not just a temporary exhibition though it evolves as they add stuff & I noticed the lack of any Bitcoin reference or samples whilst visiting London last August & having just bought some Casascius coins from molecular & others had thought to donate some to that department - I didn't get around to it that visit but it's much better to have come from Casascius himself in any case, it would be nice if they had the full range of Cas coins issued, if I am able to afford a 1 Oz gold 1,000 btc one day then I would be happy to loan it if insured to them & if a sufficiently tamper proof container could be made to house it inside their already secure display cabinets so that no staff/researchers could peal the hologram. Edit: Cool that one can see the addresses of the 4 donated to them on the large BM inventory pics, I will send them a few Satoshis or coins to 1NyVMo79Vanhbu92MpPQgCbu9MDV5a4NhW when next drinking & feeling flush. FirstBits: 1P5mrivM (http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/search_object_image.aspx?objectId=3451279&partId=1&searchText=bitcoin&fromADBC=ad&toADBC=ad&orig=%2fresearch%2fsearch_the_collection_database.aspx&numPages=10¤tPage=1&asset_id=1156701) for 1P5mrivMGaLoXiMjJmN56sBsyANEYiw3mE <--- has been peeled to redeem & show the private key (edit) FirstBits: 1NyQJk2W (http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/search_object_image.aspx?objectId=3451295&partId=1&searchText=bitcoin&fromADBC=ad&toADBC=ad&orig=%2fresearch%2fsearch_the_collection_database.aspx&numPages=10¤tPage=1&asset_id=1156709) for 1NyQJk2Wh1YVnp6pxpBux4W35TFyd4Avpj FirstBits: 1NyVMo79 (http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/search_object_image.aspx?objectId=3451296&partId=1&searchText=bitcoin&fromADBC=ad&toADBC=ad&orig=%2fresearch%2fsearch_the_collection_database.aspx&numPages=10¤tPage=1&asset_id=1156705) for 1NyVMo79Vanhbu92MpPQgCbu9MDV5a4NhW <--- visible on their display FirstBits: 1Caqfyjn (http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/search_object_image.aspx?objectId=3451294&partId=1&searchText=bitcoin&fromADBC=ad&toADBC=ad&orig=%2fresearch%2fsearch_the_collection_database.aspx&numPages=10¤tPage=1&asset_id=1156712) is in a different style which seems harder to make it out but finally got it for 1Caqfyjn3KigaSPFdcYrjJqjpYZoXvxCPz The one shown on display is 1NyVMo79 (https://i.imgur.com/Ba7lh.jpg), they have big barrels for fiat donations around the place but may also like the idea of accepting bitcoins too sent to their sample for all to see & could put up a QR code to scan for this maybe if ppl requested it & even perhaps a tablet or something to display it's blockchain balance. http://bitinfocharts.com/bitcoin/address/1NyVMo79Vanhbu92MpPQgCbu9MDV5a4NhW Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: HDSolar on November 04, 2012, 07:48:15 PM Very cool but interesting they list USA on the card. Sure it is because of who provided the coin.
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: bitcoinbear on November 04, 2012, 07:57:19 PM Quote The Bitcoin system has been criticised by some people for facilitating money laundering, since payment transfers can be conducted anonymously. The same thing could be said for USD, GBP, EUR, or any other form of cash. The difference with bitcoins is that with bitcoins you can make the transfers over long distances more easily. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: TheButterZone on November 04, 2012, 08:54:36 PM That's freaking awesome. I am aware the museum was interested in the coins and sent some without giving it a second thought but am super flattered to see they are being displayed. Are they loaded? I hope you are not thinking what I think your thinking... ;D I hope he is thinking what I think you think he's thinking. It'd be good publicity. :D Museum heist... bit, gold, and silver coins stolen, all fiat left untouched. ;-) Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Phinnaeus Gage on November 05, 2012, 02:44:39 AM Rumor has it that the US, too, will have a currency museum, to be located in a building that currently sets umpty.
http://www.keyflux.com/lucastan/images/FortKnox.jpg Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: helloworld on November 05, 2012, 06:56:17 AM FirstBits: 1NyQJk2W (http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/search_object_image.aspx?objectId=3451295&partId=1&searchText=bitcoin&fromADBC=ad&toADBC=ad&orig=%2fresearch%2fsearch_the_collection_database.aspx&numPages=10¤tPage=1&asset_id=1156709) for 1NyQJk2Wh1YVnp6pxpBux4W35TFyd4Avpj So, now we can secretly and anonymously donate to the British Museum? That's 0.001337 is what that is! Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: giszmo on November 05, 2012, 07:47:56 AM /posting in awsome thread :)
So, who turned the 1Ƀ-coin into a 2.26691356Ƀ (http://blockchain.info/address/1NyVMo79Vanhbu92MpPQgCbu9MDV5a4NhW)-coin? If we keep the micro-donations flowing, it might really be interesting to display this in-flow in the museum :) Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: mintymark on November 05, 2012, 09:31:28 AM Otoh,
Just want to be clear. Have we really persuaded the British Museum to accept Bitcoin payments, without discussion or controversy? Is it safe to donate? Or is it likely that donations can be appropriated by staff or others? Lets donate!! We should email them once a year or so saying what the current value of their donation sum is and how they could take it. Being a Londoner and therefore I might donote to the British museum anyway, I think this is amazing. Actually, I think this is the most amazing aspect of Casacaus coins, with no computer in sight, you can give one to somebody, and tell them the bitcoin address, and suddenly they are in the business of receiving bitcoin payments. The British Museum is a huge organisation, and if it is really now accepting Bitcoin donations.... wow! Which of the addresses Otoh gives should we use ? Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: szuetam on November 05, 2012, 10:08:53 AM Just notice they have a detailed web page for each item: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/search_object_details.aspx?objectid=3451294&partid=1&searchText=g68%2F18*&numpages=10&orig=%2Fresearch%2Fsearch_the_collection_database.aspx¤tPage=5 Nice work Mike :) Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Otoh on November 05, 2012, 10:50:13 AM Otoh, Just want to be clear. Have we really persuaded the British Museum to accept Bitcoin payments, without discussion or controversy? Is it safe to donate? Or is it likely that donations can be appropriated by staff or others? Lets donate!! We should email them once a year or so saying what the current value of their donation sum is and how they could take it. Being a Londoner and therefore I might donote to the British museum anyway, I think this is amazing. Actually, I think this is the most amazing aspect of Casacaus coins, with no computer in sight, you can give one to somebody, and tell them the bitcoin address, and suddenly they are in the business of receiving bitcoin payments. The British Museum is a huge organisation, and if it is really now accepting Bitcoin donations.... wow! Which of the addresses Otoh gives should we use ? Casascius himself doesn't think at the moment that it's a good idea to send funds to the coins that they have (link) (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=41892.msg1316792#msg1316792) but personally I think it's a very good thing, it's how bitcoins work & they have plenty of silver & gold moneys in that exhibition that go up & down in value with the markets so why should it be a problem, the bitcoin value in fiat is going to change in any case, they also collect anonymous cash from visitors in all sorts of different fiat that ppl choose to drop in to their collection boxes - some quite high denomination notes/bills, I'd thought of dropping a Cas bitcoin in but this is much better. I imagine they will just let the coin increase in value unless some anon eccentric millionaire drops a few 100k coins on it in which case they'll probably cash it out & replace it with one of their other ones and issue a news release to say thanks very much bitcoins ftw! So in answer, no we haven't officially persuaded them to accept bitcoin donations, but their exhibit coin address & the others they have they themselves have made public & that allows anyone to send coins to it if they so choose - it's how bitcoin works & as such they should appreciate it's doing exactly what it's meant to & perhaps this will encourage them to actually turn it in to an official funding source. Re security - it's in an exhibition room with really high value PM exhibits & they know how to look after their artifacts so I doubt anyone with access would peel it or switch it for another. I'd use the one that they have on display showing the FirstBits: 1NyVMo79 for 1NyVMo79Vanhbu92MpPQgCbu9MDV5a4NhW Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: giszmo on November 05, 2012, 02:14:58 PM Otoh, Just want to be clear. Have we really persuaded the British Museum to accept Bitcoin payments, without discussion or controversy? Is it safe to donate? Or is it likely that donations can be appropriated by staff or others? Lets donate!! We should email them once a year or so saying what the current value of their donation sum is and how they could take it. Being a Londoner and therefore I might donote to the British museum anyway, I think this is amazing. Actually, I think this is the most amazing aspect of Casacaus coins, with no computer in sight, you can give one to somebody, and tell them the bitcoin address, and suddenly they are in the business of receiving bitcoin payments. The British Museum is a huge organisation, and if it is really now accepting Bitcoin donations.... wow! Which of the addresses Otoh gives should we use ? Casascius himself doesn't think at the moment that it's a good idea to send funds to the coins that they have (link) (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=41892.msg1316792#msg1316792) but personally I think it's a very good thing, it's how bitcoins work & they have plenty of silver & gold moneys in that exhibition that go up & down in value with the markets so why should it be a problem, the bitcoin value in fiat is going to change in any case, they also collect anonymous cash from visitors in all sorts of different fiat that ppl choose to drop in to their collection boxes - some quite high denomination notes/bills, I'd thought of dropping a Cas bitcoin in but this is much better. I imagine they will just let the coin increase in value unless some anon eccentric millionaire drops a few 100k coins on it in which case they'll probably cash it out & replace it with one of their other ones and issue a news release to say thanks very much bitcoins ftw! So in answer, no we haven't officially persuaded them to accept bitcoin donations, but their exhibit coin address & the others they have they themselves have made public & that allows anyone to send coins to it if they so choose - it's how bitcoin works & as such they should appreciate it's doing exactly what it's meant to & perhaps this will encourage them to actually turn it in to an official funding source. Re security - it's in an exhibition room with really high value PM exhibits & they know how to look after their artifacts so I doubt anyone with access would peel it or switch it for another. I'd use the one that they have on display showing the FirstBits: 1NyVMo79 for 1NyVMo79Vanhbu92MpPQgCbu9MDV5a4NhW I share Casascius' concerns but still it would be ultra cool if they would put some monitor next to the coin, showing blockchain.info life transactions and balance :) Also it should be clear that the exhibition has an insurance to a certain value and with people putting in another 1000Ƀ and the price of 1Ƀ going up to $10000, they might simply not be aware of being under-insured ;D Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Phinnaeus Gage on November 06, 2012, 02:29:04 AM This is what should be looping on a giant plasm TV next to the exhibit: https://i.imgur.com/Mf2sg.png
https://i.imgur.com/Mf2sg.png Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: kjlimo on November 06, 2012, 03:43:06 AM Frickin awesome! I now have a reason to go back to London (other than drinking awesome Cider & checking out Westminster Abby)...
Keep up the awesome! EDIT: Has anyone written an article to explain this? Perhaps this would make a great article for Bitcoin Magazine. Something summarizing the exhibit with the awesome ending to the storyline! Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: istar on November 06, 2012, 04:52:16 PM Donating to that coin and pointing it out, will make them understand Bitcoin better.
Its an eye opener Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: malevolent on November 06, 2012, 04:53:34 PM Congrats to Cacascius :)
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: niko on November 06, 2012, 05:06:19 PM I see a KLF-style opportunity here... Keep donating to the address on display until it becomes too hot to display :D
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Otoh on November 06, 2012, 05:45:59 PM Congrats to Cacascius :) Donating to that coin and pointing it out, will make them understand Bitcoin better. Its an eye opener Maybe it's address could be added to the OP here: https://blockchain.info/address/ (https://blockchain.info/address/1NyVMo79Vanhbu92MpPQgCbu9MDV5a4NhW)1NyVMo79Vanhbu92MpPQgCbu9MDV5a4NhW It would be nice to get it to 10 btc at least for starters & micro donations are cool so as to show them that's possible which none of their other exhibits can do. Edit to add: http://bitinfocharts.com/bitcoin/address/1NyVMo79Vanhbu92MpPQgCbu9MDV5a4NhW https://i.imgur.com/JrTz3Eg.png Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Akka on November 06, 2012, 05:55:38 PM Yes, it would be really nice if next to the exhibit would stand:
Since this coin has been displayed here it received donations increasing it's worth 10 Times. And a basic explanation how that works. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: CharlieContent on November 06, 2012, 07:34:31 PM Yes, it would be really nice if next to the exhibit would stand: Since this coin has been displayed here it received donations increasing it's worth 10 Times. And a basic explanation how that works. That would be awesome. All my coins are in cold storage away from home, but next time I end up with some coins in a hot wallet for whatever reason then I'll send a few here. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: bitcoinbear on November 06, 2012, 08:32:56 PM Congrats to Cacascius :) Donating to that coin and pointing it out, will make them understand Bitcoin better. Its an eye opener Maybe it's address could be added to the OP here: https://blockchain.info/address/ (https://blockchain.info/address/1NyVMo79Vanhbu92MpPQgCbu9MDV5a4NhW)1NyVMo79Vanhbu92MpPQgCbu9MDV5a4NhW It would be nice to get it to 10 btc at least for starters & micro donations are cool so as to show them that's possible which none of their other exhibits can do. But donating to that coin does not help the museum any (other than it gets a more and more expensive display piece). To use any bitcoins donated to the coin on display, the display would have to be taken down and the coin opened to get the private key inside. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: casascius on November 06, 2012, 09:03:32 PM It would be nice to get it to 10 btc at least for starters & micro donations are cool so as to show them that's possible which none of their other exhibits can do. The museum might not see it this way. The museum probably has to comply with accounting laws and report their donations to somebody. When they put the coin on display, in all likelihood nobody consciously thought "Now that we're displaying a physical bitcoin, we now have a new way to accept donations". Unless they are going to regularly receive £10,000+ worth of donations through it (unlikely), their cost to properly account for and report on any donations they receive vastly exceeds the value of the donations themselves. If at any point they discover a semi-significant amount of donations being received through the coin and they feel it threatens the integrity of their accounting, the most logical thing for them to do would be to take the coin down. The museum isn't going to put up a display showing how the coin is "growing" in value, mostly because it's totally out of the scope of their exhibit, which is "the history of money", not "let's advertise bitcoin". Needless to say, sending funds to the coin has no possible positive outcome and only one possible negative outcome: it encourages them to take it off display. So please don't do it. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Gavin Andresen on November 06, 2012, 09:34:23 PM Needless to say, sending funds to the coin has no possible positive outcome and only one possible negative outcome: it encourages them to take it off display. So please don't do it. +1 : most organizations won't appreciate getting random bitcoin donations, it is a headache for them to figure out how to handle them properly (and they will get pretty grumpy if they spend a couple hundred dollars worth of staff time to deal with less than that in bitcoin donations). Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: TheButterZone on November 06, 2012, 09:38:46 PM So, since the coin(s?) has already had donations, there's little choice now but to steal it, cash it out, and donate the GBP equivalent to the museum. Unless they have a contract with casascius to return them at the end of the exhibit...
;-) Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: julz on November 06, 2012, 10:40:09 PM It would be nice to get it to 10 btc at least for starters & micro donations are cool so as to show them that's possible which none of their other exhibits can do. The museum might not see it this way. The museum probably has to comply with accounting laws and report their donations to somebody. When they put the coin on display, in all likelihood nobody consciously thought "Now that we're displaying a physical bitcoin, we now have a new way to accept donations". Unless they are going to regularly receive £10,000+ worth of donations through it (unlikely), their cost to properly account for and report on any donations they receive vastly exceeds the value of the donations themselves. If at any point they discover a semi-significant amount of donations being received through the coin and they feel it threatens the integrity of their accounting, the most logical thing for them to do would be to take the coin down. The museum isn't going to put up a display showing how the coin is "growing" in value, mostly because it's totally out of the scope of their exhibit, which is "the history of money", not "let's advertise bitcoin". Needless to say, sending funds to the coin has no possible positive outcome and only one possible negative outcome: it encourages them to take it off display. So please don't do it. I don't see why it should be any different to holding a piece of artwork which may appreciate in value. The additional bitcoin value is not available to the museum directly as the value is entirely within a catalogued item. It surely doesn't need to be accounted for until the item is disposed of - or perhaps during regular assessment of inventory value for insurance purposes. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: casascius on November 06, 2012, 11:04:31 PM I don't see why it should be any different to holding a piece of artwork which may appreciate in value. The additional bitcoin value is not available to the museum directly as the value is entirely within a catalogued item. It surely doesn't need to be accounted for until the item is disposed of - or perhaps during regular assessment of inventory value for insurance purposes. The problem is if they view (or feel that others may view) that they are receiving funds transfers they must account for, and not simple appreciation of an asset that's just sitting there. Or if they just plain don't know, aren't sure, and decide to take it down just to be safe. What matters is how they see it, regardless of whether we share their conclusion. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Otoh on November 06, 2012, 11:09:27 PM Needless to say, sending funds to the coin has no possible positive outcome and only one possible negative outcome: it encourages them to take it off display. So please don't do it. +1 : most organizations won't appreciate getting random bitcoin donations, it is a headache for them to figure out how to handle them properly (and they will get pretty grumpy if they spend a couple hundred dollars worth of staff time to deal with less than that in bitcoin donations). It would be nice to get it to 10 btc at least for starters & micro donations are cool so as to show them that's possible which none of their other exhibits can do. The museum might not see it this way. The museum probably has to comply with accounting laws and report their donations to somebody. When they put the coin on display, in all likelihood nobody consciously thought "Now that we're displaying a physical bitcoin, we now have a new way to accept donations". Unless they are going to regularly receive £10,000+ worth of donations through it (unlikely), their cost to properly account for and report on any donations they receive vastly exceeds the value of the donations themselves. If at any point they discover a semi-significant amount of donations being received through the coin and they feel it threatens the integrity of their accounting, the most logical thing for them to do would be to take the coin down. The museum isn't going to put up a display showing how the coin is "growing" in value, mostly because it's totally out of the scope of their exhibit, which is "the history of money", not "let's advertise bitcoin". Needless to say, sending funds to the coin has no possible positive outcome and only one possible negative outcome: it encourages them to take it off display. So please don't do it. I can't believe you guys, they have loads of anon fiat cash bins soliciting donations in any form anyone cares to make all around the museum so why would they have any problem in ppl tipping them via their new groovy little bitcoin - they want to know & show, record & demonstrate how things (money/currency in this case) evolve - it is their purpose, they aren't going to get pissed if what they are displaying does exactly what it is designed to do (ffs) & they won't give a toss what it's value is unless it hits like £10k + so chill out & pump this potential news possibilities up & if they were to pull it then that would be important news too - it's irrevocably in their collection & I doubt they will pussy out about it being on display just because someone sends it a few $ (Satoshis), not that anyone much has as yet anyway. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: niko on November 06, 2012, 11:10:58 PM Needless to say, sending funds to the coin has no possible positive outcome and only one possible negative outcome: it encourages them to take it off display. So please don't do it. +1 : most organizations won't appreciate getting random bitcoin donations, it is a headache for them to figure out how to handle them properly (and they will get pretty grumpy if they spend a couple hundred dollars worth of staff time to deal with less than that in bitcoin donations). That's one way to look at it; another perspective is that these are not donations to the museum, but simply acts of individuals that increase the value of the exhibited specimen. A museum displays a painting, and due to external reasons the value of paintings by that author skyrockets. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: casascius on November 06, 2012, 11:13:36 PM I can't believe you guys, they have loads of anon fiat cash bins soliciting donations in any form anyone cares to make all around the museum so why would they have any problem in ppl tipping them via their new groovy little bitcoin - they want to know & show, record & demonstrate how things (money/currency in this case) evolve - it is their purpose, they aren't going to get pissed if what they are displaying does exactly what it is designed to do (ffs) & they won't give a toss what it's value is unless it hits like £10k + so chill out & pump this potential news possibilities up & if they were to pull it then that would be important news too - it's irrevocably in their collection & I doubt they will pussy out about it being on display just because someone sends it a few $. You don't know that with any level of certainty. That is your guess. The problem is there is no upside if you're right, and there is a downside if you're wrong. As I have said repeatedly, it's not that we think they don't accept donations, it's that it's reasonably possible that they will not be welcoming of this type of donation. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Otoh on November 06, 2012, 11:22:27 PM It is not a donation, see my previous posts, I am adding value to something that they have publicly enabled me to do, it's a part of their collection & is exhibited atm, I am helping to demonstrate just how great this is, I seriously think you are misjudging any possible negative reaction from them in ppl doing this & also that if they were to pull the exhibit of the coins because of this that it wouldn't be a big kudos for bitcoin in them failing to cope with this new tech.
Edit: sry - I'm partying right now, I'll edit for more clarity in 12 hrs, but really I fail to see how btc needs to worry about any imagined sensitivities of the British Museum & anyway at least give them a chance to treat btc sympathetically which I believe they would or at the very least objectively I expect, sending their exhibit some funds is really not likely to piss them off too much in my opinion, you guys seem way too defensive/paranoid or cynical to me atm & anyway this particular Pandora is out of her box now so not much point in trying to make it otherwise. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: casascius on November 06, 2012, 11:37:13 PM It is not a donation, see my previous posts,... That is your opinion, their opinion may differ, and theirs is the one that matters. I am adding value to something that they have publicly enabled me to do,... They almost certainly didn't do that on purpose. If we demonstrate that they did this by accident and that people will start sending them funds through it whether they like it or not, and that causes them any problems, they may very well say "whoops, we didn't think this through clearly" and take it down. I fail to see how btc needs to worry about any imagined sensitivities of the British Museum & anyway at least give them a chance to treat btc sympathetically which I believe they would or at the very least objectively i expect, It's not about whether "btc" just needs to worry - most of us just don't want the exhibit taken down. They are already treating it more than sympathetically by having it up. sending their exhibit some funds is really not likely to piss them off too much in my opinion, you guys seem way too defensive/paranoid or cynical to me atm. It's not that it will piss them off, it's they (again) may determine that they must take steps to stay legally kosher when it comes to accounting (something all organizations must do), and if they decide that it's not worth the effort, they will take it down. It would be no different than if we knew Gary Johnson had a physical bitcoin displayed on his wall: if anonymous people started donating to it, he would take it down and dispose of it, not because donors "piss him off", but because he feels that he must do so to stay in compliance with campaign finance law. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: helloworld on November 06, 2012, 11:45:17 PM Randall (XKCD) continued to receive donations even *after* he took down his donation address.
The Equus ferus caballus has already exited the building... Merely taking the coin down now won't help. They'd need to publicly send it back to Casascius or something. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Otoh on November 06, 2012, 11:48:02 PM It is not a donation, see my previous posts,... That is your opinion, their opinion may differ, and theirs is the one that matters. I am adding value to something that they have publicly enabled me to do,... They almost certainly didn't do that on purpose. If we demonstrate that they did this by accident and that people will start sending them funds through it whether they like it or not, and that causes them any problems, they may very well say "whoops, we didn't think this through clearly" and take it down. I fail to see how btc needs to worry about any imagined sensitivities of the British Museum & anyway at least give them a chance to treat btc sympathetically which I believe they would or at the very least objectively i expect, It's not about whether "btc" just needs to worry - most of us just don't want the exhibit taken down. They are already treating it more than sympathetically by having it up. sending their exhibit some funds is really not likely to piss them off too much in my opinion, you guys seem way too defensive/paranoid or cynical to me atm. It's not that it will piss them off, it's they (again) may determine that they must take steps to stay legally kosher when it comes to accounting (something all organizations must do), and if they decide that it's not worth the effort, they will take it down. It would be no different than if we knew Gary Johnson had a physical bitcoin displayed on his wall: if anonymous people started donating to it, he would take it down and dispose of it, not because donors "piss him off", but because he feels that he must do so to stay in compliance with campaign finance law. They encourage & accept cash donations in any fiat or whatever ppl choose to drop in their bins, Krugerrands - Bitcoins whatever, they have no problem with anonymous gifts in any reasonable form... will edit to answer more in 12 hrs ... lol - they won't take the coin off display just because some random ppl have sent it some funds where it's demonstrating to work just as it is meant to, they are interested in representing the reality of the evolution & history of money = this is what it is & does, in real time like never before. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: 2GOOD on November 06, 2012, 11:48:36 PM I think this is a good way to introduce the currency to new people.
Great story :) Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: casascius on November 06, 2012, 11:55:45 PM they encourage & accept cash donations in any fiat or whatever ppl choose to drop in their bins, Krugerrands - Bitcoins whatever, they have no problem with anonymous gifts in any reasonable form... That's true in the donation boxes, because if they don't like or can't accept a donation, they can and will dispose of it however they please. They can and will also dispose of the bitcoin exhibit if they decide they can't accept donations through it and can't otherwise stop them, presumably something we'd like to avoid, right? I mean, if we didn't care about the exhibit remaining on display, then sure, I'd say donate all you want through it. lol - they won't take the coin off display just because some random ppl have sent it some funds Again, you do not know this for a fact. This is your opinion and your guess, which may differ from their opinion, the only opinion that matters. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Otoh on November 07, 2012, 12:10:00 AM they encourage & accept cash donations in any fiat or whatever ppl choose to drop in their bins, Krugerrands - Bitcoins whatever, they have no problem with anonymous gifts in any reasonable form... That's true in the donation boxes, because if they don't like or can't accept a donation, they can and will dispose of it however they please. They can and will also dispose of the bitcoin exhibit if they decide they can't accept donations through it and can't otherwise stop them, presumably something we'd like to avoid, right? I mean, if we didn't care about the exhibit remaining on display, then sure, I'd say donate all you want through it. lol - they won't take the coin off display just because some random ppl have sent it some funds Again, you do not know this for a fact. This is your opinion and your guess, which may differ from their opinion, the only opinion that matters. I've had personal dealings with them over a number of years so feel qualified to make such assumptions, np & sure I may be proved wrong about this - I will just ask them directly next week if they have any problem with this. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: paraipan on November 07, 2012, 12:36:22 AM they encourage & accept cash donations in any fiat or whatever ppl choose to drop in their bins, Krugerrands - Bitcoins whatever, they have no problem with anonymous gifts in any reasonable form... That's true in the donation boxes, because if they don't like or can't accept a donation, they can and will dispose of it however they please. They can and will also dispose of the bitcoin exhibit if they decide they can't accept donations through it and can't otherwise stop them, presumably something we'd like to avoid, right? I mean, if we didn't care about the exhibit remaining on display, then sure, I'd say donate all you want through it. lol - they won't take the coin off display just because some random ppl have sent it some funds Again, you do not know this for a fact. This is your opinion and your guess, which may differ from their opinion, the only opinion that matters. If I were from the museum staff, I would put a 7inch display with blockchain's page (https://blockchain.info/address/1NyVMo79Vanhbu92MpPQgCbu9MDV5a4NhW) next to the physical bitcoin so that visitors could see it's value and donations in real time, and maybe donate by scanning the bigger qr code. Don't worry Cas, no one will remove the coin from there because they are only interested in the physical representation of bitcoin, for display purposes. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: TheButterZone on November 07, 2012, 01:05:43 AM Randall (XKCD) continued to receive donations even *after* he took down his donation address. The Equus ferus caballus has already exited the building... Merely taking the coin down now won't help. They'd need to publicly send it back to Casascius or something. Correct Horse Battery Staple? The comic is still out there, plus it's the default key at brainwallet.org, and some transactions have been passing through it and being swept away: http://blockchain.info/address/1JwSSubhmg6iPtRjtyqhUYYH7bZg3Lfy1T Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: casascius on November 07, 2012, 01:16:14 AM I've had personal dealings with them over a number of years so feel qualified to make such assumptions, np & sure I may be proved wrong about this - I will just ask them directly next week if they have any problem with this. If they are fine with it, that's cool. If they ever need to distance themselves from it, they're welcome to have me own it and me "loan" it back to them. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: helloworld on November 07, 2012, 01:20:24 AM Randall (XKCD) continued to receive donations even *after* he took down his donation address. The Equus ferus caballus has already exited the building... Merely taking the coin down now won't help. They'd need to publicly send it back to Casascius or something. Correct Horse Battery Staple? The comic is still out there, plus it's the default key at brainwallet.org, and some transactions have been passing through it and being swept away: http://blockchain.info/address/1JwSSubhmg6iPtRjtyqhUYYH7bZg3Lfy1T I didn't realize that his main donation address was related to Correct Horse Battery Staple. I was just talking about the donation page that he had put up on xkcd.com but which has been subsequently taken down. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: TheButterZone on November 07, 2012, 03:03:57 AM Randall (XKCD) continued to receive donations even *after* he took down his donation address. The Equus ferus caballus has already exited the building... Merely taking the coin down now won't help. They'd need to publicly send it back to Casascius or something. Correct Horse Battery Staple? The comic is still out there, plus it's the default key at brainwallet.org, and some transactions have been passing through it and being swept away: http://blockchain.info/address/1JwSSubhmg6iPtRjtyqhUYYH7bZg3Lfy1T I didn't realize that his main donation address was related to Correct Horse Battery Staple. I was just talking about the donation page that he had put up on xkcd.com but which has been subsequently taken down. Oh, no. It's not the same one: http://xkcd.com/bitcoin/ Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: niko on November 07, 2012, 03:47:54 AM That's one way to look at it; another perspective is that these are not donations to the museum, but simply acts of individuals that increase the value of the exhibited specimen. A museum displays a painting, and due to external reasons the value of paintings by that author skyrockets. I have not changed my mind on this, however after reading Mike's posts I have decided to respect his opinion and not donate to this address. The coin, and the fact that it ended up in this exhibition, are results of his hard work, after all. I hope everyone will respect his cautious approach, and refrain from sending funds for now. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: helloworld on November 07, 2012, 03:49:39 AM Randall (XKCD) continued to receive donations even *after* he took down his donation address. The Equus ferus caballus has already exited the building... Merely taking the coin down now won't help. They'd need to publicly send it back to Casascius or something. Correct Horse Battery Staple? The comic is still out there, plus it's the default key at brainwallet.org, and some transactions have been passing through it and being swept away: http://blockchain.info/address/1JwSSubhmg6iPtRjtyqhUYYH7bZg3Lfy1T I didn't realize that his main donation address was related to Correct Horse Battery Staple. I was just talking about the donation page that he had put up on xkcd.com but which has been subsequently taken down. Oh, no. It's not the same one: http://xkcd.com/bitcoin/ Er, I also didn't realize that he put that page back online again. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Otoh on November 07, 2012, 08:44:05 AM It seems ironic to me that some of those at the forefront of bitcoin's development think it unwise to send bitcoins to the British Museum's exhibition coin in order to show support & demonstrate just how & why it is so much different & better than every single other item in their exhibition on the history & evolution of money, if I were instead to just write to them expressing my approval of their decision to include bitcoins in their collection & enclosed a fiat cheque for £10 or so to show my appreciation I imagine that you'd be OK with this but just feel nervous because ppl may send them some bitcoins without first asking them if this is OK, well it's already been done so can't be undone - I don't feel like making a big deal over this & think it best to not contact them, at least for now, then to come back to this in a few months time when their coin will be a more long term established part of their exhibition & either themselves or perhaps some journalist or other interested party, perhaps yourselves, will have enlightened them as to just how awesome they could make this display by including a QR code & tablet with blockchain info etc which is something else to consider donating to them for this, anyway I'll drop it for now & just watch how things evolve over the next few months re this but I do hope that a few more ppl will also send the coin some funds so that if they do check it out they can see this happening.
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: joecooin on November 07, 2012, 01:02:30 PM Otoh, I am absolutely with you.
Casascius, I don't understand your concerns at all. This is not about donating to a museum and wondering how to properly get the donations into the accounts or pay taxes or something. This is about a money museum documenting how the new money functions. Period. And that cannot be done any better than by receiving transactions on the address of the coin, displaying these transactions somehow and explaining something like: 'People from all over the world are loading value up to this very coin displayed here by sending microtransactions which are free of charge in the Bitcoin economy. This value can only be taken off this coin and spent by breaking it's seal and accessing the private key to it's address.' Now that would explain something and on the other hand really inspire people and make them curious about this kind of money. And that's precicely what a museum is for. So please everybody, send them some 0...1337... or something! ;) Joe Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: casascius on November 07, 2012, 01:53:14 PM A lot of other smart people with more experience getting nonprofits to accept bitcoin understand the concern even if some others think it's overblown paranoia. Do what you must. Thanks to those of you willing to just leave a good thing alone.
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: paraipan on November 07, 2012, 01:57:10 PM A lot of other smart people with more experience getting nonprofits to accept bitcoin understand the concern even if some others think it's overblown paranoia. Do what you must. Thanks to those of you willing to just leave a good thing alone. http://www.mahoganysunrisefilm.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/you-rock.jpg Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Adrian-x on November 07, 2012, 10:43:10 PM @ Otoh: good points.
@ casascius: thanks for making the coins and sending them - and giving Bitcoin a physical representation - you rock! - Way to go! - You are now part of the history of the world. Now just for the record, Bitcoin is a decentralised, P2P bases system, it functions on mathematics and the independent whims of the private key holders. The exhibit is just that, an exhibit, if people donate to it (it is illogical) but if they do the value of the exhibit increases, The value of the exhibit is assessed from time to time, but like art and gold it is rather a subjective assessment, and so is Bitcoins value. The act of increasing the value of an exhibit is not a donation to the museum, and the secondly shouldn't be confused. (If I am willing to pay more for a Van Gogh than the next guy, the increase in potential value is not a donation, and when I do pay it is still not a donation but capital gains to the sellers) If the museum ever sells the exhibit the value will be assesses at the time and the relative accounting and the taxes will be calculated at that time. Now my only concern in increasing the value of the exhibit in a way which is unique to Bitcoin by donating to the exhibit's public key is: casascius, could know the private key, and in fact be able to take the Bitcoins, from under the noses of the curators. (The perfect heist, better than a cat burglar, bring on a new era of action movie.) As for your concerns "casascius" if Satoshi expressed a desire that you not use Bitcoins for what he considerd nefarious activities would respect his wishes? Or if Ben Bernanke expressed a concern that Bitcoin could have a nefarious impact on the US economy, would you respect his wishes and stop using it? My point being there is no central control; it is up to the individual to decide how to use their Bitcoins not others. But I still can't thank you enough for this contribution its awesome, thank you. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: casascius on November 08, 2012, 12:49:09 AM The act of increasing the value of an exhibit is not a donation to the museum, and the secondly shouldn't be confused. It shouldn't, but could be. We keep saying Bitcoins are money, right? This line of reasoning depends on Bitcoins not being money, and being more like a painting. We can't ask to have it both ways. If the museum's bean counters think because bitcoin is arguably money that "this is revenue" or "this might be viewed by others as revenue", they may feel constrained to act in accordance with that. As for your concerns "casascius" if Satoshi expressed a desire that you not use Bitcoins for what he considerd nefarious activities would respect his wishes? Hey, it's happened in the past: example: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1735.msg26999#msg26999 Coincidentally, it's for much the same reason. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Adrian-x on November 08, 2012, 02:03:46 AM Hey, it's happened in the past: example: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1735.msg26999#msg26999 Now that's a good memory! (I was still ignorant of Bitcoin back then not to mention ignorant Satoshi was ever a member here)Coincidentally, it's for much the same reason. I am sympathetic to your plight, there may be concerns as lots people are eager to point out, but despite being invested in the whole ecosystem I am not convinced this sort of publicity is what will harm Bitcoin but rather it's a selling feature. The real killer problem is the distribution (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=99928.msg1217724#msg1217724), in combination with human nature. It shouldn't, but could be. We keep saying Bitcoins are money, right? This line of reasoning depends on Bitcoins not being money, and being more like a painting. We can't ask to have it both ways. If the museum's bean counters think because bitcoin is arguably money that "this is revenue" or "this might be viewed by others as revenue", they may feel constrained to act in accordance with that. I think of Bitcoin as a means of exchange. " AbelsFire" summarised it quite effectively. 4. Bitcoin isn't money. It's something new which is better than money. There you go. Now we no longer need to have pointless semantic arguments and can actually talk about something relevant, like what kinds of things can we do now with Bitcoin that we couldn't do before when all we had was money. But to your point we are talking about an exhibit* (which is more like a work of art than money), the more interesting, dynamic, interactive, and mysterious the exhibit the bitter. I wouldn't be too concerned about Bitcoin becoming legal tender overnight, so until it is granted legal status as Money, and you can pay your taxes with Bitcoin, the value fluctuations are just capital gain or loss accounted for when you cash out into Fiat. Keep in mind this is an exsibit about the history of money, and statistics show that 98.3759% of people are not interested in paying to see an exhibit dedicated to the history of money. * (and I can't believe I am chatting with the exhibits creator, it is kind of cool to be lumped in with that groundbreaking history. ) Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Adrian-x on November 08, 2012, 02:09:40 AM @casascius just out of interest you don't keep the private keys to all your coins do you? Or have an algorithm to reveres engineer them from the public key? :)
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Adrian-x on November 08, 2012, 02:45:24 AM @ ianbakewell thanks' I guess I should have looked.
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Narydu on November 08, 2012, 04:48:56 AM I think that they should be contacted by casascius and thank them for the honor and them explain them this situation. He could always invent them a special fake coin if they would prefer to avoid it (the cas coin it self is fake, not a real btc, just a representation of it). On the other hand it could open their eyes and see it as part of the future, as part of the evolution of money or wallets. They could even think to explain it better or with the 7" idea. Or just understand that it's a property intrisic to the coin it self. If they don't, they might never ever be able to show any new money created based on Internet.
There is no sense in avoiding the exhibition of the coin when there are so many ways to go through this concerns. @Casascius don't be afraid of loosing the honor they did to you and your wife (hope you send them a series 1), there in no downsides if you talk to them with honesty and alternative solutions, but there is too much to win for "Bitcoin" and to show to the visitors if they agree to keep it, understand it, and deal with what ever economic issue they think it might arose. Said this, as I see it, is your ego (please don't take it wrong, i'm saying it in a good way) against the bitcoin behalf of being presented as something more than something possibly bad, to which you are then again linked. ;-) Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: casascius on November 08, 2012, 05:12:36 AM If it ain't broke, I see no need to fix it. You are suggesting I contact them and say "Look, you didn't know problem X exists, but if you think about it long enough, you might come to the conclusion that problem X might exist, so let me help you solve it in advance." If the definition of "problem X" is not an actual problem, but only their perception of a potential one, then contacting them in this way only serves to create the very problem we're pretending to solve.
Case in point: If I went to my neighbor's house and said, "Hey there... Just thought I'd let you know, I am not a thief, which you can verify by doing a criminal background check on me, but if any of your stuff goes missing, you're welcome to check my garage any time, and meanwhile, I recommend XYZ brand locks, because they are the hardest to pick". This would be an example of creating a problem under the pretense of solving one that never existed! This is what you're suggesting I do. What if (imagine this big huge fucking "if") they can put an exhibit on display, and it just sits there like they planned, and nobody who stands to benefit from its increased exposure bothers to contact them to make sure they "learn" more about it, just like no one is contacting them about the other 6 million things they have on display for the same reason? Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: julz on November 08, 2012, 05:55:07 AM If it ain't broke, I see no need to fix it. ... What if (imagine this big huge fucking "if") they can put an exhibit on display, and it just sits there like they planned, and nobody who stands to benefit from its increased exposure bothers to contact them to make sure they "learn" more about it, just like no one is contacting them about the other 6 million things they have on display for the same reason? Yeah.. even if the 'problem' of the increased value is actually no problem to them - over-enthusiastic contact from Bitcoiners could sure come across in the wrong way. The unique aspects of Bitcoin that allow these donations may still be academically and historically interesting to them - but just like journalists don't like to be 'used' by PR companies and self-promoters - It wouldn't surprise me to see this exhibit getting tucked into long-term storage if they feel they're being used to promote/pump some quasi-investment. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: FuzzyBear on November 09, 2012, 11:33:35 AM Really like this :) +1 British Museum
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Gabi on November 09, 2012, 12:27:01 PM Quote We keep saying Bitcoins are money, right? Nah. I say that bitcoin is digital gold. Is gold money? No. ;)Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: molecular on December 27, 2012, 11:47:48 AM Quote We keep saying Bitcoins are money, right? Nah. I say that bitcoin is digital gold. Is gold money? No. ;)+1 Bitcoin being money just complicates things. It's a virtual commodity used as a medium of exchange by some freaks. Let's just keep the first part of that sentence and work on replacing the italicized one. (also see lonelyminers masther thesis on bitcoin (http://dev.economicsofbitcoin.com/mastersthesis/mastersthesis-surda-2012-11-19b.pdf) for an argument why bitcoin is not money (yet)) Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: mccorvic on December 28, 2012, 03:52:41 AM This is really awesome! I can't really say anything else but that!
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: lunarboy on April 23, 2013, 11:47:54 PM looks like this story isn't quite finished yet.
1NyVMo79Vanhbu92MpPQgCbu9MDV5a4NhW @ 2.50302213 BTC = £233 at todays rate. Their coin is going up in value either way. :o Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: cedivad on July 10, 2014, 04:25:16 PM Meh, room 68 is closed!
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: faince222 on July 10, 2014, 09:04:14 PM They need to include something about BTC when they are taking about currencies, even if it's not the primary world currency yet but it's definitely one of the most exciting currencies (at least worth showing in an exhibition).
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: gonnafly on July 13, 2014, 12:58:35 PM I've been there - they have the largest collection of coins in the world. Well worth seeing.
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: gondel on July 13, 2014, 01:33:20 PM Imagine someday when this coin will be guarded some day as a Van Gogh painting :)
Very nice looking into the museum Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Nerazzura on July 13, 2014, 03:29:13 PM The British Museum is hosting an exhibition on the history of money around the world (http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/galleries/themes/room_68_money.aspx). an object is placed in a museum of historical objects in the past and its number of rare start. so the fear will disappear then stored in the museum, because the object will never exist again. whether it would mean bitcoin history as well. lolI came across this little gem there: https://i.imgur.com/Ba7lhl.jpg Go, if you get a chance. It's a great exhibition. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: CokeCoin on July 13, 2014, 06:24:19 PM british museum is an amazing place, a must see if in london
the building is amazing & worth the visit alone Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: hollowframe on July 14, 2014, 04:29:13 AM The British Museum is hosting an exhibition on the history of money around the world (http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/galleries/themes/room_68_money.aspx). Why is it saying that bitcoin was created in the USA? Or was it talking about the physical coins? If it wasn't this is not substantiated and bitcoin was not created in 2011I came across this little gem there: https://i.imgur.com/Ba7lhl.jpg Go, if you get a chance. It's a great exhibition. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: EnterReturn on July 14, 2014, 05:42:24 AM If it's in the British Museum, does that mean it's history?
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Adrian-x on July 14, 2014, 07:35:32 PM If it's in the British Museum, does that mean it's history? it's the only part of history in the Museum, that can have its value changed and altered by individual observers over the internet. (2.50345213 BTC, from 1 BTC) read the history of this tread for some idea of the implications. https://blockchain.info/address/1NyVMo79Vanhbu92MpPQgCbu9MDV5a4NhW (i believe is the address taken from the photo.) Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Nerazzura on July 15, 2014, 03:26:13 PM Haha amazing ! my father still does not believe that Bitcoin is money, real money which can be exchanged for real things, i'm gonna show him this thread and convince him to selling a house for Bitcoins :P haha .. it's a very big decision for the father to sell his house. but I am amazed with your father. I never tell bitcoin father or another family. would be too complicated for them to understand and even they will make fun of me because they did not understandTitle: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Raoul Duke on August 07, 2014, 03:11:09 PM Haha amazing ! my father still does not believe that Bitcoin is money, real money which can be exchanged for real things, i'm gonna show him this thread and convince him to selling a house for Bitcoins :P haha .. it's a very big decision for the father to sell his house. but I am amazed with your father. I never tell bitcoin father or another family. would be too complicated for them to understand and even they will make fun of me because they did not understandBut they understand banks going bankrupt and bailouts. ;) Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: BitCoinNutJob on August 07, 2014, 03:37:28 PM british museum is an amazing place, a must see if in london the building is amazing & worth the visit alone Agreed me and the mrs went there at the end of the day on one of our days in london just thinking it might be worth sticking our heads in. Next day we rescheduled other plans and went back to stay for the full day. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Daniel91 on August 07, 2014, 03:58:48 PM If it's in the British Museum, does that mean it's history? I guess this is real history but I really hope that Bitcoin will also become future soon :) Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Adrian-x on August 07, 2014, 08:45:49 PM If it's in the British Museum, does that mean it's history? I guess this is real history but I really hope that Bitcoin will also become future soon :) Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Otoh on August 07, 2014, 08:49:32 PM british museum is an amazing place, a must see if in london the building is amazing & worth the visit alone Agreed me and the mrs went there at the end of the day on one of our days in london just thinking it might be worth sticking our heads in. Next day we rescheduled other plans and went back to stay for the full day. +1 http://www.rncm.ac.uk/uploads/British_Museum_21.jpg I'm in London atm & will be going back to visit tomorrow for the hundredth+ time. My ambition from early days was/is to buy and lend to their collection a 1 Oz gold 1,000 BTC coin, but Casascius isn't replying to my PMs & emails re this, plus it's all a matter of logistics and timing anyway, so what may be feasible one day becomes less so the next as other projects with a fairer wind behind them begin to take precedence. Edit: He has now replied, was busy on other projects, hopefully this may still happen one day... Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: ensurance982 on August 07, 2014, 11:12:33 PM They already did this at the end of 2012? Wow, this seems pretty forwardly thought! If it is a dedicated exhibition about money or monetary systems, I do get why they include Bitcoin even in a 'regular' museum, but nevertheless, this is impressive. I know people don't like Bitcoin to be portrayed by Casascius Coins, but it is a great way of giving Bitcoin some tangibility! (Never underestimate tangibility in life!!!)
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: oceans on August 08, 2014, 10:23:52 AM This is brilliant. I do feel that the explanation of what bitcoins are could have been made a little more informative but all the same the fact it is in a History Museum for all to see if great! Things like this are what give bitcoin more publicity and prompt more people to want to look into what it is.
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: DDuckworth on August 18, 2014, 02:57:08 AM That's really awesome, kind of weird though...Do you think they ever put any traditional notes in the museum when they were first minted? I guess the difference is there wasn't a revolution on the horizon.
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: iWin on August 18, 2014, 03:05:09 AM This is just more great news for BTC owners. Even though this thread is pretty old, it still shows that BTC will always have value.
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: pajrinn on August 26, 2014, 08:49:41 AM wow, it's so awesome :o
I'm almost not belive coin btc on The british museum :o Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Wealthy on August 26, 2014, 09:15:40 AM It helps bitcoin gain more popularity after all.It's the thing that should be put up inside a museum of course,the way it emerged end evolved is worth writing in the history of money
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: melisande on August 27, 2014, 10:14:13 AM This is Great ::) ::) ::) :D :D :D it will increase the popularity of BTC in Britain.
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Otoh on September 17, 2014, 10:42:20 AM They've now added the genesis block data
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BxqtY3zIAAAHuyq.jpg from: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/comments/2glefe/i_was_walking_through_the_british_museum_coin/ Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Otoh on April 27, 2017, 07:52:30 PM I visited the British Museum last week and was rather shocked to find all the bitcoin exhibits and reference to them have been removed as far as I could find, I have contacted the department to ask why as digital currencies are far more part of the evolution of money and mainstream now than they were when they were first exhibited here, Citi bank are a sponsor and maybe they don't like crypto but that's just speculation on my part.
ie: http://www.newsbtc.com/2017/04/02/japan-officially-recognises-bitcoin-currency-starting-april-2017/ Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: monkeynuts on April 27, 2017, 08:37:08 PM Shame on them. Let us all know their response, if they give one.
Hopefully it's just part of their cycle of different displays, and they will come back out of storage in the near future. I trust that coin is still funded... Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: GAMORA on April 27, 2017, 08:42:24 PM That's awesome. Congratulations Casascius.
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: btc_angela on April 27, 2017, 11:28:50 PM I visited the British Museum last week and was rather shocked to find all the bitcoin exhibits and reference to them have been removed as far as I could find, I have contacted the department to ask why as digital currencies are far more part of the evolution of money and mainstream now than they were when they were first exhibited here, Citi bank are a sponsor and maybe they don't like crypto but that's just speculation on my part. ie: http://www.newsbtc.com/2017/04/02/japan-officially-recognises-bitcoin-currency-starting-april-2017/ Oh that's the reason why they you have a hard time finding it in the British Museum. Perhaps they are hosting an exhibition on the history of money around the world sponsored by Citibank. So technically bitcoin has been recognized as part of the evolution of money. We are now part of history baby!!! ;D Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: molecular on April 29, 2017, 03:57:19 PM I trust that coin is still funded... It even received additional funds, if I remember correctly. The address could be in this thread... Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: naughty1 on April 29, 2017, 04:03:14 PM It helps bitcoin gain more popularity after all.It's the thing that should be put up inside a museum of course,the way it emerged end evolved is worth writing in the history of money It is a pity that I can not visit the museum. I wish to witness everything there, but everything is too hard for me, my country is far away from your country. I can only fly to there, but it costs me too much to do it. Hope someday I can afford to travel so far.Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: CraigWrightBTC on April 29, 2017, 04:17:43 PM This is Great ::) ::) ::) :D :D :D it will increase the popularity of BTC in Britain. Yes it will increase the popularity and it is mean bitcoin be adopted by all of people include in museumby the time will many sectors that adopt bitcoin, so actually all of sectors can adopt bitcoin in their business so bitcoin is not for sectors of financial but all of sectors can adopt, receive bitcoin or technology of bitcoin. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: LFC_Bitcoin on April 29, 2017, 04:18:37 PM That's freaking awesome. I am aware the museum was interested in the coins and sent some without giving it a second thought but am super flattered to see they are being displayed. Congratulations. A great achievement Sir. Edit - Didn't realise this was such an old thread, still mightily impressive to be included in an exhibition at the British Museum. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: staceyoh on April 30, 2017, 03:24:16 AM That's Amazing!!!
I want to go in that british museum, I hope someday I can visit that museum. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: steampunkz on April 30, 2017, 03:37:10 AM Great to see some real bitcoin coins history in the museum Soon many people will notice what is bitcoin. Good job British musuem. ;D
Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Andre_Goldman on April 30, 2017, 09:00:43 AM Just notice they have a detailed web page for each item: http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/search_object_details.aspx?objectid=3451294&partid=1&searchText=g68%2F18*&numpages=10&orig=%2Fresearch%2Fsearch_the_collection_database.aspx¤tPage=5 8), thanks guys. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Otoh on May 04, 2017, 05:53:39 PM I visited the British Museum last week and was rather shocked to find all the bitcoin exhibits and reference to them have been removed as far as I could find, I have contacted the department to ask why as digital currencies are far more part of the evolution of money and mainstream now than they were when they were first exhibited here, Citi bank are a sponsor and maybe they don't like crypto but that's just speculation on my part. ie: http://www.newsbtc.com/2017/04/02/japan-officially-recognises-bitcoin-currency-starting-april-2017/ Received a reply, seems that I missed the bitcoin that they still have on display, I'll visit again in the third week of June when I'm back in London and post a pic of the current display. Dear Otoh, Thanks for your email. In reply to your question relating to Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies there is a casascius token still on display in case 18 which makes reference to digital currencies. You are right there was a larger display on cryptocurrencies in the gallery but this was only ever planned as a temporary display in the modern technology and money section. In this part of the gallery I display various case studies, changing every six months, which look at a new aspect of our relationship with money. Other topics have included mobile phone banking, the creation of local currencies and most recently the technology involved in the production of polymer notes and bimetallic coinage. Citi Bank, whilst the galleries sponsors, do not have any editorial input into the display and as I said the display was only ever planned as a temporary one. In terms donations to the museum, myself and my colleague Thomas Hockenhull (Curator of Modern Money) were made aware of the wonderful generosity and the thread you mention on the BCT forum. Thanks again for your email and I hope this answers your questions and I am more than happy to answer any further questions you might have. With very best wishes, Ben Alsop Citi Money Gallery Curator The Department of Coins and Medals The British Museum - when I emailed them I mentioned my donations (from 1Donation... & 1otoh... addies): I am Otoh on BCT forum, a more than 1 BTC donator to the BM, ie > $1,350 So Mike & Gavin please note that they do of course welcome donations in any currency, including bitcoins. Their display (& donations) coin is still funded, with 1.52 of additional bitcoins over face value having been sent to it so far, ie > $2,517 https://blockchain.info/address/1NyVMo79Vanhbu92MpPQgCbu9MDV5a4NhW I will likely arrange a meeting with Ben Alsop on my next visit to see if I can get them to add a display for donations being sent to it in real time (a few more donations may help in this) and to offer them the loan of a 1,000 BTC BIP 38 Private Keys Unfunded 'Casasius' Error Series 2 Gold 1oz coin if I can get it graded in time, or perhaps even ungraded may be better. https://i.imgur.com/Vt0z85p.png https://i.imgur.com/12XSy52.png Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Narydu on May 04, 2017, 06:06:20 PM Dear Otoh,
Some time ago I wrote down this project... www.bitcointimecapsule.com I wrote the British Museum about it and found a dead end. I think it's a good easy project for them to host. Have a look and let me know your thoughts. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Otoh on May 04, 2017, 06:32:58 PM Hi Narydu, the page doesn't seem to load...
I've requested a meeting with Ben in June so can bring up any projects that ppl think may be of interest to them. Re the 1 oz gold coin, ungraded in it's capsule seems best as it's unfunded anyway, but I may offer them a full set of graded Casascius coins as well if they would make a nice display for them. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: wutard on May 04, 2017, 11:39:45 PM Hi Narydu, the page doesn't seem to load... But in what way can they make bitcoin a coin with a real physical form? I can not even imagine how such a coin can have value.I've requested a meeting with Ben in June so can bring up any projects that ppl think may be of interest to them. Re the 1 oz gold coin, ungraded in it's capsule seems best as it's unfunded anyway, but I may offer them a full set of graded Casascius coins as well if they would make a nice display for them. Title: Re: Bitcoins at the British Museum Post by: Narydu on May 13, 2017, 01:32:59 AM Nice! Could I mail you a PDF? Csare to share an email or write me at narydu@gmail.com
Hi Narydu, the page doesn't seem to load... I've requested a meeting with Ben in June so can bring up any projects that ppl think may be of interest to them. Re the 1 oz gold coin, ungraded in it's capsule seems best as it's unfunded anyway, but I may offer them a full set of graded Casascius coins as well if they would make a nice display for them. |
