Did you ever get this sorted out?  Shapeways uses ExOne's process for their metals (almost exclusively, even) and sometimes the sintering and infiltration steps involve some distortion. 

It looks to me like we could hide an NFC sticker into a print like that.  (I know you said you didn't want it in plastic)

See this coverage of our service:  http://cryptojunky.com/blog/2013/05/27/3d-printing-for-bitcoin-combining-disruptive-technologies/

Did anyone ever get this from you? 

CryptoPrinter (www.3DP4BTC.com) presents: NFC enabled Bitcoin Simulacra!

Amaze your friends by explaining three of your favorite new technologies at once! This 3D Printed Bitcoin simulacra contains a 1k Mifare Classic NFC sticker embedded into gold PLA. (using open source hardware and software, incidentally)

We now also have NTAG206 NFC stickers, which offer slightly less writable space (~137 Bytes), but are more widely compatible than the Mifare 1k stickers.

Possible fun uses for your Bitcoin Simulacra:

• Load a private key onto it for cold storage. (Or more than one private key!)
   
• Load a public address onto it for NFC-enabled swipe and pay goodness (giving you an opportunity to explain how far ahead of the curve you are to everyone !)
  
• Load a link to a (your?) website or a link to your account on the blockchain which shows your account summary!
• Program the NFC tag to load your favorite wallet app when you swipe it with your phone
• Demonstrate your acceptance of BTC (for brick and mortar merchants)

Important points to understand:

   

• Coins are sold as blank slates - no account or key-related data would be written to the NFC chips upon purchase. I can't promise that we won't put our own website onto it to be cute.
• Read/write ready Milfare 1k Classic NFC sticker w/ 716 Bytes of useful memory(we check to make sure that it's writable after being printed into the object)

For single coin orders, feel free to order here through bitmit: 
https://www.bitmit.net/en/item/27285-3d-printed-nfc-enabled-bitcoin-simulacra

For orders of coins >5 please contact me with your tag preference so that I can plan for your order. 

Thanks!
 

Bug Report:

Camera/QR code feature does not work with Samsung Galaxy S3.  Not seen that error before, but it happened. 

Order received!  Thanks very much.   A neat conversation starter for BTC.  (And perhaps lessons in the limitations of trying to make them physical)

I think it's merit need not be so "us vs them".  If what we're really interested in is a secure cryptocurrency why not develop several in tandem so that all of the eggs aren't in one basket?    As bitcoin deals with scaling up, it might be served by having other sister currencies for exactly the other reasons you list, Mike.  More of a crypto-economy with several elements which might each contribute to a larger stability. 

Hmm, I can make 3D printed drone parts if anyone wants to make their own cheap quadcopter counter-drone.

Neat concept.  Anything which favors a larger crypto-economy over a single chain is generally good.

If anyone is looking for a physical litecoin in the meantime, you can get something like it here:  https://www.bitmit.net/en/item/21037-3d-printed-nfc-enabled-litecoin-simulacra

Another update:

We can now embed NTAG206 tags in addition to Mifare 1k NFC stickers.  The NTAG has less addressable memory (136 Bytes as opposed to 716), but is compatible with a wider range of devices than the Mifare 1k. 

I can now say that there are around a dozen of these simulacra in circulation. 

A similar situation has been occurring over the past 3-4 years for 3D printer manufacturers.  There's a lot of grief and distrust aimed at anyone making a genuine effort without delivering yesterday.   It's important to remember that just because bitcoin works quickly, it doesn't mean that the human-derived elements of a larger economy can respond so quickly.

Order Placed, looking forward to a shiny faux bitcoin. 

NFC tags, ala: https://www.bitmit.net/en/item/20612-3d-printed-nfc-enabled-bitcoin-simulacra

You referred to 'better fabric', which was the 'new stuff' I was talking about. 

I wouldn't mind ordering some myself perhaps.  Do PM me when your new stuff comes in. 

Best,
-ED

I think this is a great idea, and Eufloria is quite enjoyable IMHO.  What's the next game for you folks?

Can you try to confirm that NFC tags cannot be read through your material?  It might be nice to have a little bag for something like this:  https://www.bitmit.net/en/item/20291-3d-printed-nfc-enabled-bitcoin-simulacra

I'd split that up into a few separate accounts with well backed up private keys. 

I came from a reddit link saying "I am willing to sell my bitcoins for:"

I guess i'm disappointed that there are only prices and no option for 'physical stuff', or "useful labor" or something like that...

The customers I've had who buy 3D printed NFC tags generate a private key for a new account and deposit to that directly, rather than trying to import a particular private key from a wallet.