Topic: Bitcoin guerrilla marketing on paper money - page 2. (Read 15306 times)

I can't speak for anyone else, but the jackboots are perfectly welcome to come after me for the illicit euro-note scribblings I've posted photos of. The publicity from that would only help spread the notion far and wide

However, read earlier in this thread for the fine print on what various states consider to be acceptable defacement of the paper money they issue. In short, nothing much to worry about as far as anybody posting photos so far is concerned.

Not illegal in Canada 

Exactly. As I said earlier in the thread, having curious people google "bitcoin" would probably be the best thing to do. Let Google sort them out.

I would definitely suggest tu use something with the word bitcoin in it. Maybe bitcoin - better money or free money, ...

People that follow a link that they have no clue what it is about, will as well google a word and with this word being bitcoin, the message is clearer for those that know a little bit. Imagine somebody asking in a round of friends/the person who gave him the bill "what is weusecoins.org?" over somebody asking "what is bitcoin?".

Very nice! You Canadians are certainly rocking this thread in terms of putting words to action

This is a brilliant idea! Although I would suggest "weusecoins" more then "bitcoin.org".

Here another bunch of bills ready to go into the wild!

For 7 quid I got a customised self-inking stamp (see ebay link). It's good - I've stamped ~30 notes and not once have I been rejected. Normally I just show the reverse side to the vendor but it doesn't really matter either way. It takes a while for the ink to dry once stamped, and it does rub off eventually. So I would probably get a permanent, quick drying one next time. And maybe not black ink because it shows through the note slightly.

These look great! What all did you get for your 7 quid exactly?

I'll be collecting my stamps on Tuesday from a local vendor. I didn't put any kind of border on mine like on yours. I may be wrong about it but I suspect the chances of having a merchant reject a note would be higher in the case of a stamp with a border since it's more eye-catching. Will be interested to hear about your experience.

Too bad you do not have one:



Simple and too the point. Too bad the What Is Bitcoin? video is not under the Screw Banks video. Don't underestimate the anger people have at the banks for all the bailouts, etc.

Very cool! Much more efficient with stamps!

D.I.Y. HERE and see results above ^

This is what I have: (£7 inc. postage)


Sorry for the poor quality photo!

If you're able to source them, please consider offering a Bitmit listing for these stamps. I'm sure there would be some interest in them.

Good find. Shops may still reject them, though.

I just ordered 5 35mmx10mm "Bitcoin.org" stamps to give out to some local comrades. Should be a nice fit for the EUR 5 note. Happy day that I was able to do this anonymously and pay in cash next week when I pick them up!

Now I gotta find me some suitably-colored ink.

That sounds like a good problem to have

True, I thought about that but only had this denomination available in my wallet.

I found an interesting document on this topic as regards countries currently using the euro:

http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/articles/euro/documents/elteg_en.pdf

Most countries mentioned in the report have no penalties for defacing/destroying notes or coins. However:

Belgium: Defacing a coin or note punishable by 1 week to 3 months prison and/or a fine of EUR 26 to 1000.

Ireland: Melting down a coin punishable by fine up to IEP 5000 (EUR 6343.87) and/or up to 2 years in prison.

Cyprus: Fine of up to EUR 1708 for "defeaturement" of notes or coins.

Malta: UP to EUR 1500 fine for any alteration to a banknote.

Slovakia: Up to 6 months prison for damaging the national legal tender.

The report suggests that such penalties would not normally be brought against an individual if the act was done for artistic purposes, for personal (non-exchange) uses only, and not in large quantities of notes/coins.

My suggestion is that if you're going to promote Bitcoin on circulating paper money, obtain a large quantity of the smallest denomination note commonly circulated. Mark these up and keep a small number of them with you for payments. Don't present more than one or two of them in any retail transaction. Use the smallest notes because they draw less scrutiny at retailers, and because they're the most likely to be returned to other customers as change (writing on CA$50 notes is cool, but acceptance of them at retail generally means that only the retailer and a bank clerk will see them before they get returned to the central bank for destruction and replacement). Experiment with colors. Contrast is best for getting the message spread, but if retailers are consistently refusing your bold red text on light blue notes, try a color that doesn't clash with the rest of the note's color scheme.

I think I'll order me a rubber stamp...

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_it_illegal_to_write_on_money