Bitcoin Forum

I think Mike Caldwell's physical bitcoins are really cool. I talked to him about creating a bar for storing litecoins.
See this for what his bitcoin bars look like: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=53203.0

Then I thought that it would be even cooler if the bar was silver plated and had an 'L' etched in it instead of a 'B'. It seems like in order to do something like that, we would need to order possibly hundreds of these bars. I want to know if there's any interest in this from the Litecoin community. I'm guessing the premium on each bar would be at least $20. Let me know if you are interested and about how many bars, and what denomination would you be intersted in. Obviously a 100 LTC bar does not make much sense as 100 LTC is like $2. To me, 10,000 LTC seems like the right denomination.

I would be interested in a 10,000 one.

I don't really understand the whole point of a bar like that -- I thought the purpose of having physical coins was to facilitate in-person trading, and trading where no network connection is available. Bars don't seem to be good for that.

I really like the idea, but I think I need to see LTC make it to its 1 year anniversary.  I hope to get oen then.  ;D

I would like one, but I can't afford it yet  ;)

Good work with litecoin btw

Ok, I'm sure I'm ignorant somehow. I don't understand how digital currency is transformed into physical anything. Is there a private key embedded into it or something?

That said, I'd be interested. I'd rather go with a 5000 coin bar myself though. *shrug*

You can't afford the $20 premium or the 10,000 ltc? If it's the 10,000 ltc, what denomination works better for you?

For those not familiar with casascius coins, see here: https://www.casascius.com/

Thanks for the link, Coblee. *VERY* cool. Yes, I'm interested.

Another reason the smaller denominations (not absurdly small) are nice would be for the Scrooge McDuck type thing. Handfuls of LTC?  That would be cool. :)

Ah, I only have around 1K litecoins is what I mean. Personally I think you should have 500-1k coins, and 10k or 5k bars.

I think this is a little premature, but that's just me.  I encourage you to keep pushing litecoins!

I agree. But the premium on lower denomination coins will be much higher, so I don't think there will be enough demand for those.


Possibly. I wanted one for my personal collection and will settle for a gold bitcoin bar with storing litecoins. But if enough people are interested in getting a silver one, that would be much cooler.

I'd be more interested in small denomination coins, tbh.

What I guess you probably want is a chrome plated bar, more so than a silver one, right?

I think I would pay up to $20 for a see through Litecoin.   I was thinking about going to McDonalds as they have a promotion going on with these Coca Cola cups for free or something (http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/coke_glassware.html)

http://www.coca-colaconversations.com/.a/6a00e39332d00988340115710a70e0970c-320wi

That one all the way in the back of the row, take the bottom of the cup, glass cutter, yup, diy litecoin lol.  I would need to up my etching skills, as I have none.   Maybe it is too early for the coins.  Could we see a mock up of what the bar would look like?

I wonder if there would be a way to encase the private key in clear casting resin, and to get to it you had to break the coin...like a fortune cookie. Would possibly be cheaper than doing metal coins.

Oh hey I just thought of something...

my laser machine can cut AND engrave acrylic.  I could make transparent litecoins no problem.  Now, no way to hide the private key... but neato as a collector's item.

(If someone throws together the artwork, I MAY make a few just to play with the machine)

(Use Adobe Illustrator... do GREEN cut lines - RGB 00FF00 - must be red vectors 0.5 point to indicate cutting. Where to engrave, do RED #FF0000, this will just whiten the surface without cutting, and can be raster or vector objects)

I would love to see litecoin bars. I'd have to read up a bit how/why these are actually secure, but once you had one it would be great to put into a vault or something. Sure  100 LTC is $2 for now, but emphasis on the "FOR NOW". :-)

I don't have Illustrator, but I do you a few other graphics programs. Can the laser machine understand any other file formats?  What are the specific requirements for a file to be used to engrave?

I could probably just take a high resolution black-and-white image.  Black engraves.  Maximum DPI possible.  No JPEGs.

I think it would be neat to have a rainbow shine type effect on this, if that's even possible.

bump
I am following this.  i would/could get any denomination you have.  I like the acrylic idea.

Yeah.  I have no clue how this all works or the pricing that goes into materials.  But could a completely clear glass, plastic, whatever coin be made.  The L etched on the coin itself.  Maybe a circle frame as well.  Then have a layer of see through hologram sticker placed on top that would make it have that shine?  Would that look cheap in the end though?  More toy like than solid? No solid coin jokes people lol.   I have large image files of the L design, there are rapidshare links in the Litecoin design contest thread of psd files.

Perhaps you could mess around with refraction of light to make the private key latent until the coin is cracked or opened, each of which would change visibility.

Or maybe you could make it like a glowstick (dye would go from clear-black), just bend the coin and the ink/dye comprising the private key would appear. I'm not sure if you would need to put the dye on some medium to keep it from being damaged though... The coin would still be mostly transparent.

Perhaps make and outer layer that's UV-blocking and a UV-sensitive private key on and inner layer. That way, it is transparent to the visible spectrum, but once you remove the UV-blocking layer, you can place the private key layer under a black light to view it.

Since it doesn't seem like we had enough interest to do a bulk order for a custom Litecoin bar yet, I asked casascius to make me a personal one. And he also made me some transparent acrylic coin!
Here's a picture of what he's sending me. The hologram has not been put onto the bar yet.

https://i.imgur.com/O4eODl.jpg

If you are interested, you may want to ask casascius to see if he would make you one also. Since it's a custom order, it won't be cheap though.

Pretty cool!

I want one of those.   :o    What is the cost that goes into the acrylic coins?   Or I guess the better question, what would be the dollar selling price to one of those as a novelty, without any LTC attached to it if that isn't determined yet.

Any interest in litecoin or namecoin bills?

neat looking litecoins! i don't have enough for a physical coin but i'm all for it! it really helps ppl understand that crypto currency's do have value. its funny bc i've been showing ppl my physical bitcoins and they are like "oh so they are actually worth something".  sigh, still its got a few ppl do go to bitcoin.org so i'm sure litecoins would also help. 

What are the little transparent ones? Are they worth anything?

The transparent ones are just fun little acrylic litecoins made to look like BitcoinPorn's design. See BitcoinPorn's signature above. They don't have any embedded litecoins.

Maybe you could put some of those clear QR code things on there, I'm not really sure how they work but heres an example
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iPgYV-__mo

Too good to be true.

http://www.moodstocks.com/2011/08/17/every-object-has-an-invisible-qr-code-with-object-recognition/

But maybe still useful.

I don't know anything about plating, but if anyone's interested in a steel bar with an L in it, I have access to a CNC mill and steel bar. Might look like silver if you polish it and don't let it rust. Or if someone else is willing to plate it...

Darn, too bad I was too lazy to check the link.

Could still etch a QR code onto the back of them









Any plans to sell _{or give away} some of those transparent coins?

Sure, I could give them away. I guess I will only charge for shipping. Who wants one?

I might hit you up on that :)

How much would shipping be to the east coast of USA

I can probably just put one in a first class envelope and send it. That should work, right? So only 44 cents or 70 litecoins. I will only accept litecoins. :)

70 ltc for a physical litecoin. Is that a good deal? :p

PM'd  ;D

Send one to Mr. Andresen (http://www.skypaint.com/gavin/) (address in the footer) as a gift from the Litecoin community. I'll cover the shipping charges.

Ill buy one for Ryland Almanza too

If you're going to mail those in letters, I'd wrap them in a couple sheets of paper, and tape them to the center of the letter.

Just thinking about how those would go through the letter sorting machines used by the post office makes me think of scratching a chalkboard.  At least wrapped in paper, there's less chance they will tear through the envelope.

If there's a big demand for those acrylic coins, I can pump those out with not too much effort...

I'd like to mail them all in a batch to save me time. Here's what I have so far, anyone else?

Mushroomized - 2
terrytibbs - 1
inlikeflynn - 2
illpoet - 1

Anyone else?

Yes, I'd like one as well. Do the litecoins for shipping go to a specific address, or your sig one?

BitcoinPorn - 1 (sending one for free since it's his design that inspired this)
Mushroomized - 2
terrytibbs - 1 (for gavin)
inlikeflynn - 2
illpoet - 1
SockPuppet - 1

I will send out a different address and collect your physical addresses when the time comes.

I may be interested in one or two (will edit post when I get home).

I'm a little confused on what the final choice was on production.  Are you sending 10,000 litecoin bars for 10,070 litecoins?

Or are you offering single Litecoins for 71 litecoins each?

I got a bunch of these acrylic litecoins (no litecoins inside). And I will give 1 away for just a postage stamp (70 ltc) to anywhere in US.

https://i.imgur.com/O4eODl.jpg

Heh, ok.  Sign me up.  I can add it to my broken casascius coin I carry in my pocket at all times.  Only problem is I now need to figure out the litecoin client, haha.  All my coins are on pools or exchanges or something.

You can add me to your list.  Just let me know when payment is due.  I'm really busy at work this month, but will work it into my schedule sometime within tthe week.

Nice one! I want couple of those to have for me and to give to my friends!
PM sent  ;)

Here's the latest count:

BitcoinPorn - 1 (sending one for free since it's his design that inspired this)
Mushroomized - 2
terrytibbs - 1 (for gavin)
inlikeflynn - 2
illpoet - 1
SockPuppet - 1
boonies4u - 1 or 2
kjlimo - 1
CAMOPEJB - 2

If you are in the US, please send 70 litecoins to LeJrX33SRQybdfRkmBqke9yC2j9W1CXxEW for each one you want.
And if possible, please post the transaction id.

I will try to get these out ASAP.

I just paid 140 for two of them, but I'm not sure how to look at the transaction ID. I paid with address LNPYC9GcGcKw38dTAyskkbnwn7TxmC5e4J (I think)

I will try to track down the client sometime this weekend & send you payment then.  We can figure out the physical address at that point.

I'm really busy at work right now.  Ciao!

BitcoinPorn 1 - sending one for free since it's his design that inspired this
Mushroomized 2 - PAID
terrytibbs 1 (for gavin)
inlikeflynn 2
illpoet 1
SockPuppet 1
boonies4u 1 or 2
kjlimo 1
CAMOPEJB 2
DeLorean 2 - PAID please PM with address.

I will send these together. So bear with me as I wait for the payments. Thanks.

Just paid my 140 as well.
http://blockexplorer.sytes.net/t/5jUg8bDtsN

Thanks Coblee!

I'll get my litecoins to you as soon as possible.

BitcoinPorn 1 - sending one for free since it's his design that inspired this
Mushroomized 2 - PAID
terrytibbs 1 (for gavin)
inlikeflynn 2
illpoet 1
SockPuppet 2 - PAID
boonies4u 1 or 2
kjlimo 1
CAMOPEJB 2
DeLorean 2 - PAID

Someone else paid me 140 for 2. Please let me know who that is.

Three (3) please. PM and payment sent.

edit: http://blockexplorer.sytes.net/b/133CJfXuMw

- Zed

BitcoinPorn 1 - PAID need address
Mushroomized 2 - PAID
inlikeflynn 2 - PAID need address
SockPuppet 2 - PAID
DeLorean 2 - PAID
ZedZedNova 3 - PAID

Still waiting for payment. I've PM'd them.

terrytibbs 1 (for gavin)
illpoet 1
boonies4u 1 or 2
kjlimo 1

I will give them a few more days. If I don't hear back, then I'm going to assume they don't want it anymore. At that point, I will prepare the coins and ship them out.

paid for 1! not sure if this is transaction id
Status: 0/unconfirmed, broadcast through 5 nodes
Date: 1/20/2012 07:11
To: 1 litecoin for illpoet LeJrX33SRQybdfRkmBqke9yC2j9W1CXxEW
Debit: -70.00 LTC
Net amount: -70.00 LTC

BitcoinPorn 1 - PAID need address
Mushroomized 2 - PAID
inlikeflynn 2 - PAID
SockPuppet 2 - PAID
DeLorean 2 - PAID
ZedZedNova 3 - PAID
illpoet 1 - PAID

Still waiting for payment. I've PM'd them.

terrytibbs 1 (for gavin)
boonies4u 1 or 2
kjlimo 1

Still selling the physical LTC? I'm not sure I want one quite yet; I'd pay even 100 for one with an LTC or two in it but not sure about buying a little novelty plastic coin...still I may buy one.

I am interested in something holding 10,000 or 20,000 or 25,000 LTC... Can this be done? Thanks.

Sorry for the delay, looks like a few people are flaking out. I will send out the coins to the people that have paid me:

Mushroomized 2
inlikeflynn 2
SockPuppet 2
DeLorean 2
ZedZedNova 3
illpoet 1

Agreed. I'd be in for a 10,000+ physical LTC

Talk to casascius, he might be able to create you one.

I could do more of these since I have the file nailed down...

Here's how it works, buy my non-denominated bar on Casascius.com, request an LTC bar (any denomination), I will assign and send you an LTC address that belongs to your bar.  Send me a link to an LTC block explorer showing you've funded your address, then I will send you the bar.  It will look exactly like in the picture (though aligned better, as I've worked the artwork file a bit better so it lines up more centered with the bar).

I do not actually participate in trading LTC, I am simply creating a bar, including a Bitcoin private key, and using a utility to calculate the equivalent Litecoin address from the full Bitcoin address.  So you simply fund your own bar before I ship it.

Cost/Photo?

Also I have been told the coins that I just bought from you look really awesome, but I have not seen them yet:P

Cost is currently 5.1 BTC + shipping (subject to exchange rate fluctuation).  This is just the bar, I am engraving it for free.  The only constraint I might add is I might take a few extra days to produce them after you order, as they are easier to engrave in a batch than one at a time.

Picture, it's the same item posted in this thread by coblee in post #47.

I can also sell the little plastic novelty Litecoins in the same shipment, 1.5 BTC can get you ten of them.

I am very tempted to get a 25,000 LTC bar going. I assume there is no way to get rid of the Baht symbol on the bar?

Nope, that is permanently stamped into all of the bars I have.  Sorry

Yeah, sorry about that, I was wanting to get one... I have just been distracted as of late.

If you end up sending out another batch, i'll most likely pay for my one or two.

are litecoins even worth enough to make this feasible?

If you pay for yours and send me your address today, i will get them out to you.

Would you be able to post another summary of users that you sent a litecoin? 

I'm not in any rush, but thought one last follow-up would be nice.  Thanks!

Bump. 

Again, not too worried about 70 LTC, but did I get you my payment in time?  Did anyone else receive theirs already? 

I wonder if mine got lost in the mail...

It was sent out on Monday. Sorry for the delay. I gave each one of you an extra physical litecoin due to the extra wait. Let me know if you don't get it by next week.

I'd be interested in getting one. Are you able to ship to Australia? :)

Sorry, I don't plan to ship any more of these. If you want them, contact casascius. I think he can make some for you.

Thanks so much coblee!  Sorry I couldn't be more patient!

Ok thanks Coblee, I will do that. I like the idea :)

got mine in the mail today! pretty slick! thanks again!

I wish I would have read this before I left work.

Our mail lady was on vacation this week, hopefully I'll have mine in the office on Monday!  Woot!

Litecoins received! Thanks coblee (:

Mine arrived today as well, thanks Coblee! :)

everything I could have expected out of clear plastic circles!

USPS mauled the envelope during the trip so only two arrived.  >:(  The damaged envelope was sealed inside one of those "we're sorry" envelopes.

The two that arrived look pretty cool. Nice little conversation pieces.

Thanks!

- Zed

If you want, I can send you a couple more. Let me know.

I want couple of those!
PM sent :)

Hmm are these just like novelty items?

Yes, just like cosbycoins...

Um okay...i was seriously asking without the sarcasm or condescending attitude.

Heh, ok.  Sorry, tough to respond to someone with username CosbyCoin without a little sarcasm... didn't mean to be condescending.

I walk around with one of my "Litecoins" in my pocket just to keep me company.

My other I will be giving to my father in law to hang on his Chrismas tree.

They have no value loaded on them as it didn't seem to make sense to do this at this time.  We'll see what the future brings.

In the mean time, I suggest buying some Casascius coins!

https://www.casascius.com/

how do i get a physical litecoin?

https://i.imgur.com/GxoqhdM.gif

Same question here, I'd love to get one or a few!!

I also am interested in purchasing a few. Please let me know if anyone is still making this, and if not, what interest levels pay exist. I may be up for checking into it.

Yes, I think there is definitely enough interest in LTC these days to produce these :)

Looks like this guy is doing it... and they look awesome.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=169433.0

are any of these transparent ones/ or the bar still available? I wouldn't mind just one :D