Each is used as a promotional tool, keepsake or gift of some kind. It just goes to show that even for something like cryptocurrency, which puts so much value on being intangible, people still like having a physical token to carry around. Take a look at what we have made and let us know what you think.
Bitcoin
Bitcoin is probably the first thing that comes to mind when someone thinks of cryptocurrency. The concept of bitcoins is hard to explain, but if you really want to get to the bottom of it all, the best place to start is with Satoshi Nakamoto’s paper Bitcoin — A Peer to Peer Electronic Cash System. It was published in 2008, and first introduced the concept of bitcoins and cryptocurrencies as we know them today.The client who contacted us about making these physical bitcoins wanted a set of coins to hand out at a conference themed around cryptocurrencies. The high-polish gold plating increases the perceived value of the coins; however, they are not worth as much as a real unit of bitcoin which, as of November 2018, is worth $6,403.73. It would be pretty awesome if they were though!
Ethereum
Ethereum is the second largest form of cryptocurrency after bitcoin. These coins were made for the same conference as the gold bitcoins pictured above, and, again, this design uses high-polish gold plating to give each coin a significant shine. The difference is that this coin is dual plated with both high polish-gold and high-polish silver. This coin is as an excellent example of how to make a logo stand out by adding contrast to a design. Take a look at how the gold ethereum symbol stands out against the polished silver backdrop on the front side of the coin.
Ripple
Ripple is not exactly a cryptocurrency. It’s a real-time gross settlement system and currency exchange. The main purpose of Ripple is to move large amounts of money (including cryptocurrency) around the world as quickly as possible. Their token, XRP, is designed to be interchangeable with any form of currency including things like fiat currency (physical currency backed by a government body), gold or even airline miles. The value of XRP and Ripple as a whole is not in the token, but rather Ripple’s ability to move money around so quickly, avoiding delays and fees from traditional banks.
Bushnell Token Cryptocurrency
Like all cryptocurrencies, Bushnell token cryptocurrency has no physical form with value. It was created by Avery Productions and Vision Tree to help fund a film project on the life of Nolan Bushnell, a co-founder of Atari. The idea is something like a kickstarter project, with people donating money in the interest of seeing the project brought to life and being rewarded for their support. However, owners of Bushnell token cryptocurrency aren’t donating simply to get a seat at the film’s premiere, or a poster signed by the star. Instead, they’re entitled to a share of profits from the film and get to vote on key decisions in production like casting. In a sense, buying Bushnell token cryptocurrency gives you some of the powers of a film producer for this project.
The production team contacted us about making these coins as nothing more than a representation of the cryptocurrency they created.
Tether
Tether is a cryptocurrency backed by the USD at a ratio of 1:1. This means that every tether owned is backed by, or “tethered” to, one United States Dollar. Tether aims to be a go-to digital dollar and to counteract the fluctuations in the value of other cryptocurrencies by backing every tether with a physical United States Dollar kept in reserve.On these tether coins we created, you can see “USDT” inscribed underneath the T on each side, which stands for United States Dollar Tether.
Cryptocurrencies are controversial and volatile, but also valuable. Here at Signature Coins, we are by no means experts on the topic, but we do understand the importance of having a physical token for people to carry and share. What these coins show is that even in a world focused on the benefits of abstract currencies and services, people still find value in a tangible coin they can keep close by.
