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/1NyVMo79Vanhbu92MpPQgCbu9MDV5a4NhWI 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.