As some of you may know, I am working on a ~200 page eBook guide to categorize all physical crypto coins. In creating it, I would like to standardize some naming conventions to identify specific coins, particularly when it comes to Casascius coins.
I would like the feedback of the collector community to develop a naming system that makes sense, is easy to understand, and will stand the test of time.
- In the first version of the Casascius Guide, I used 'Version' to identify Casascius coins. In my opinion, a better word is 'Series', shortened to S1. S2, etc.
- I have experimented with the idea of specifically designating silver and gold coins as such in the name, as it seems to be a precedent in the traditional numismatic community. Please let me know your thoughts.
- I have begun designating all hologram-bearing coins which are or can be loaded with a crypto currency as 'coins', while those with normal artwork on both sides are 'rounds'. The grey area here are those coins which bear an image on one side, and a blank side on the other where a sticker is provided to the buyer so they can 'create their own wallet'. I am of the opinion that these too should be designated as 'rounds', or perhaps specifically as 'wallets' (though I imagine that confusing numismatics).
- I think each specific hologram should be designated as a 'series'. This is already the convention with Casascius coins. This would mean Lealana coins are divided into 2 series, with the 1st 1ltc coins some currently consider an individual series (due to no 'pt' for the private key making a large bump into the hologram) being simply designated as an 'error' strain of Series 1.
- Many Casascius coins have popular 'names'. I have devised a method to intgrate them into the 'standard names' i am developing. In doing so I a m deviding these names into two categories; 'differentiating' and 'describing' names. Differentiating names are ones which differentiiate two coins that are otherwise the exact same year, series, amount. There are two examples:
1btc Coin, S1, 2011
1btc ‘First Bits Error’ Coin, S1, 2011
and
10btc Silver Coin, S2, 2012
10btc 'Gold B' Silver Coin, S2, 2012
and
0.5btc 'Silver Error' Silver Coin, S3, 2013
0.5btc Silver Coin, S3, 2013
and
1btc Silver Coin, S3, 2013
1btc Silver 'Gold Rim' Coin, S3, 2013 (The 10BTC coin and 1BTC coin both have a 'gold B', but only the 1BTC features a 'gold rim', so it is a better name)
These names serve as an 'official' parts of the name to differentiate them from others. The other type; describing names, are ones which are not crucial to identify the coin, but are very helpful in understanding what is being referred to and include 'nicknames'. Below are examples:
5btc Coin, S1, 2012 ‘Error Bitnickel’
5btc Coin, S2, 2012 ‘Bitnickel’
My naming convention has been to put the 'differentiating' names right after the denomination (in the middle of the name), while the 'describing' nickname types go after the year.
- When selling any S1 Casascus coin, many people speak of it as an 'error' or 'error coin'. I propose that the 'error' not be put in either the middle or end of the names of the coins, as the 'S1' marking would already imply it. I believe it would serve to confuse readers. The fact of the spelling error can always be explained in the description.
Please comment with your thoughts on some or all of these points so I can make this guide the best it can be. Below I have my current naming for Casascius and Lealana.
CASASCIUS
1btc Coin, S1, 2011
1btc ‘First Bits Error’ Coin, S1, 2011
1btc Coin, S2, 2011
1btc Coin, S2, 2012
1btc Coin, S2, 2013
1btc Silver Coin, S3, 2013
1btc Silver 'Gold Rim' Coin, S3, 2013
5btc Coin, S1, 2012 ‘Error Bitnickel’ (should I drop the 'error' here?)
5btc Coin, S2, 2012 ‘Bitnickel’
0.5btc Coin, S2, 2013
0.5btc 'Silver Error' Silver Coin, S3, 2013
0.5btc Silver Coin, S3, 2013
0.1btc Silver Coin, S3, 2013
10btc Silver Coin, S2, 2012
10btc 'Gold B' Silver Coin, S2, 2012
25btc Coin, S1, 2011
25btc Coin, S2, 2011
1000btc Gold Coin, S1, 2011
Aluminum Round
St. Petersburg Bitcoin Bowl Silver Round
LEALANA
1ltc 'Error' Coin, S1, 2013
1ltc Coin, S1, 2013
5ltc Silver Coin, S1, 2013
10ltc Silver Coin, S1, 2013
25ltc Silver Coin, S1, 2013
0.1btc Brass Coin, S2, 2013
0.1btc Silver Coin, S2, 2013
0.25btc Silver Coin, S2, 2013
0.5btc Silver Coin, S2, 2013
1btc Silver Coin, S2, 2013
I have lots more to figure out for naming conventions for all the other coins, but this is a good place to start.
The whole guide should be ready in 2 weeks time. I am looking for sponsors to donate, who will get the privilege of having some ads appear in the guide. Anyone interested please get in touch!