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Topic: New Physical Bitcoin: This Represents a New Standard Folks (Read 7224 times)

legendary
Activity: 1470
Merit: 1017
Star Wars Ep. 9 is here
Personally I think it would look better without the antiquing around the design.  I personally like the Jeanne D'Arc better than the first coin, and its cheaper too.  I bought one of these. 

I hope the next coin has the non-antique look.
full member
Activity: 176
Merit: 101
Cryptographic money will be the bedrock in time.
it's an ugly ass coin and does not represent a new standard

I think they are some of the most pretty coins I have ever seen. I have 2 Joan coins and they are stunning. Everyone I have shown them too loves them.
legendary
Activity: 1204
Merit: 1001
it's an ugly ass coin and does not represent a new standard
legendary
Activity: 2646
Merit: 1137
All paid signature campaigns should be banned.
Are these coins still for sale? I checked the website and it says limited edition, but it doesn't have any mention if they're sold out or not. Has anyone tried redeeming their coin yet? I'm considering buying a 1btc coin if this company is legit.
I logged on and it looks like they still have some of the 2013 Adam Smith 2 BTC coin (for 2.92 BTC) still available.

You can also order the 2014 Jeanne D'Arc 1 BTC coins right now.

And the 2014 Isaac Newton 1 BTC coins are not being sold yet.  

 
hero member
Activity: 868
Merit: 1001
https://keybase.io/masterp FREE Escrow Service
Are these coins still for sale? I checked the website and it says limited edition, but it doesn't have any mention if they're sold out or not. Has anyone tried redeeming their coin yet? I'm considering buying a 1btc coin if this company is legit.
full member
Activity: 176
Merit: 101
Cryptographic money will be the bedrock in time.
Just in case any of you are going:

Alitin Mint is going to be an exhibitor, selling coins at the Texas Bitcoin Conference this week:

http://texasbitcoinconference.com/exhibitors

If you would like to see the Adam Smith coin in person.
hero member
Activity: 1316
Merit: 503
Someone is sitting in the shade today...
Has anyone cracked open a random one to see if it has the private key?

I'm sure there is a key. The real risk is someone keeps a list of all the address and private keys back at HQ.

Not at all saying that is what happened here but it sure is why I wont buy anything smoothie makes.

Can you elaborate on what Smoothie does. Ive bought coin from him.

ditto what did smoothie do?
sr. member
Activity: 403
Merit: 250
Has anyone cracked open a random one to see if it has the private key?

I'm sure there is a key. The real risk is someone keeps a list of all the address and private keys back at HQ.

Not at all saying that is what happened here but it sure is why I wont buy anything smoothie makes.

Can you elaborate on what Smoothie does. Ive bought coin from him.
newbie
Activity: 28
Merit: 0
Hi,

I'm wondering if the OP or someone from Alitin Mint can help me. I am failing to see how this is much of an improvement from tamper proof holograms. I am not trying to cause drama, I simply am wondering if I am thinking about it wrong. I know since I also make physical cryptocoins this will likely look like an attack of some sort, but I am genuinely worried about the security of your product and the claims you are making of how they are more secure than original physical Bitcoins with tamper proof holograms. I have spent many hours lately doing different experiments on how to improve security on the original design of physical Bitcoins, but I don't see this as a very good solution.

I think you guys protected the coin from the obvious... radiation techniques due to the engraved private key, but it seems to me the only line of defense against retrieving the private keys of these coins is the hologram on the coin case. Which as we know can likely be removed showing no to little signs using acetone, just like the older coins that you claim are inferior to yours. That defeats the whole sales pitch here.. minus the very attractive coin artwork. The process a bad actor could take is:

1. Have a replica of the plastic coin case made in China for $1-5 each
2. Remove the coin from the packaging and retrieve the private key from the edges of the coin.
3. Remove the hologram from the original coin case using acetone showing no to little signs of intrusion.
4. Print new labels, QR code, whatever is inside the coin case and put them in the new replica case.
5. Place the coin back in the replica coin case you had made and seal it.
6. Place the hologram on the coin case back where it should be like nothing happened.

I know Alitin says "you can send a picture by email and find out if it is counterfeit or not". However, I have a hard time believing that they do not do this by checking a certain security feature they added to their hologram. This is something that can be easily implemented in the old design of physical cryptocoins.. just a coin and a hologram.

I am just failing to see how this is any better. It would require a little more work to tamper with than a normal physical cryptocoin, but it is still doable IMO. Even at today's prices there is likely enough incentive (cost versus reward) to do this... imagine when Bitcoin really goes to the moon. Please prove me wrong, the reason for my post here today is purely academic and I wish Alitin Mint all the best. I hope I can make it to the Texas Bitcoin Conference to talk about this with you guys face to face and in depth. I only live a couple hours away so I think I can come.. I just have to see if I can get off work.

Thanks
I spoke with the CEO of Alitin Mint today.  He explained that their biggest concern has been the ability for someone to open the case, steal the private key, and reseal the case.  The case is virtually impossible to open without breaking, because the "braided seal" is stronger than the surrounding acrylic case.  The second consideration is the possibility of a thief breaking the case open, stealing the private key, and replacing it with a new case.  He said that in their attempts to break into the cases without destroying them, they almost always ended up marring either the insert, hologram or signature.   The creation of a new case, at least in the US would cost at least $4,000 - $5,000 for the mold.  I have some personal experience with plastic injection molding, and it not cheap.  The case has the Alitin logo on it, and anyone making a copy would have to go to considerable effort to get it exact.  I know it would be substantially cheaper in China, but a lot of their discounts are for large quantities of product.  Either way, it would require considerable effort and expense to get a duplicate case.
   Even with a duplicate case, a thief would need to figure out how to duplicate that seal, which is unlike any I have seen.  They said that it was a system they developed within their company, and they are not publishing how it is done. 
   Finally, they have a proprietary cipher system that is three layers deep.  They would not say what it is, because they think that if they divulged that information it would weaken their system.  They just reassured me that they could definitely determine if a case was theirs vs a counterfeit.  Maybe if you speak with them in Austin they will give you more info.
   The other question is whether or not the coins themselves could be counterfeited.  That would be a big challenge.  There are not very mints in the US that could make such a coin. If you took a coin like this to a mint and wanted to duplicate it, I doubt that any mint would for fear that they would be an accomplice to counterfeiting. They have strict protocols If you wanted to do it yourself, it would require substantial skill and many thousands of dollars of equipment to do so.  I'm sure it's possible, but I doubt that any thief would go to such extraordinary measures.  These coins are struck with dies and are not cast out of liquid silver.  If someone tried to cast one, it would look a lot different than a struck coin.
   If you contrast this to the security of physical bitcoins with holograms, I think there is no comparison.  It has been clearly demonstrated that solvents can lift off the hologram, and that it can be replaced with minimal effort and very minimal damage.  Also, the coins themselves are generally much less complex in design and would, I suspect, be less challenging to counterfeit.
   I feel really good about the security of these coins...particularly by the cipher system that they have in place which they claim is practically bullet-proof.

I don't think you would have to worry much unless the price per Bitcoin was $100,000. Even then it is not likely to happen. If you don't feel comfortable with it then just pass on it. Pretty simple if you ask me.
member
Activity: 86
Merit: 10
Hi,

I'm wondering if the OP or someone from Alitin Mint can help me. I am failing to see how this is much of an improvement from tamper proof holograms. I am not trying to cause drama, I simply am wondering if I am thinking about it wrong. I know since I also make physical cryptocoins this will likely look like an attack of some sort, but I am genuinely worried about the security of your product and the claims you are making of how they are more secure than original physical Bitcoins with tamper proof holograms. I have spent many hours lately doing different experiments on how to improve security on the original design of physical Bitcoins, but I don't see this as a very good solution.

I think you guys protected the coin from the obvious... radiation techniques due to the engraved private key, but it seems to me the only line of defense against retrieving the private keys of these coins is the hologram on the coin case. Which as we know can likely be removed showing no to little signs using acetone, just like the older coins that you claim are inferior to yours. That defeats the whole sales pitch here.. minus the very attractive coin artwork. The process a bad actor could take is:

1. Have a replica of the plastic coin case made in China for $1-5 each
2. Remove the coin from the packaging and retrieve the private key from the edges of the coin.
3. Remove the hologram from the original coin case using acetone showing no to little signs of intrusion.
4. Print new labels, QR code, whatever is inside the coin case and put them in the new replica case.
5. Place the coin back in the replica coin case you had made and seal it.
6. Place the hologram on the coin case back where it should be like nothing happened.

I know Alitin says "you can send a picture by email and find out if it is counterfeit or not". However, I have a hard time believing that they do not do this by checking a certain security feature they added to their hologram. This is something that can be easily implemented in the old design of physical cryptocoins.. just a coin and a hologram.

I am just failing to see how this is any better. It would require a little more work to tamper with than a normal physical cryptocoin, but it is still doable IMO. Even at today's prices there is likely enough incentive (cost versus reward) to do this... imagine when Bitcoin really goes to the moon. Please prove me wrong, the reason for my post here today is purely academic and I wish Alitin Mint all the best. I hope I can make it to the Texas Bitcoin Conference to talk about this with you guys face to face and in depth. I only live a couple hours away so I think I can come.. I just have to see if I can get off work.

Thanks
I spoke with the CEO of Alitin Mint today.  He explained that their biggest concern has been the ability for someone to open the case, steal the private key, and reseal the case.  The case is virtually impossible to open without breaking, because the "braided seal" is stronger than the surrounding acrylic case.  The second consideration is the possibility of a thief breaking the case open, stealing the private key, and replacing it with a new case.  He said that in their attempts to break into the cases without destroying them, they almost always ended up marring either the insert, hologram or signature.   The creation of a new case, at least in the US would cost at least $4,000 - $5,000 for the mold.  I have some personal experience with plastic injection molding, and it not cheap.  The case has the Alitin logo on it, and anyone making a copy would have to go to considerable effort to get it exact.  I know it would be substantially cheaper in China, but a lot of their discounts are for large quantities of product.  Either way, it would require considerable effort and expense to get a duplicate case.
   Even with a duplicate case, a thief would need to figure out how to duplicate that seal, which is unlike any I have seen.  They said that it was a system they developed within their company, and they are not publishing how it is done. 
   Finally, they have a proprietary cipher system that is three layers deep.  They would not say what it is, because they think that if they divulged that information it would weaken their system.  They just reassured me that they could definitely determine if a case was theirs vs a counterfeit.  Maybe if you speak with them in Austin they will give you more info.
   The other question is whether or not the coins themselves could be counterfeited.  That would be a big challenge.  There are not very mints in the US that could make such a coin. If you took a coin like this to a mint and wanted to duplicate it, I doubt that any mint would for fear that they would be an accomplice to counterfeiting. They have strict protocols If you wanted to do it yourself, it would require substantial skill and many thousands of dollars of equipment to do so.  I'm sure it's possible, but I doubt that any thief would go to such extraordinary measures.  These coins are struck with dies and are not cast out of liquid silver.  If someone tried to cast one, it would look a lot different than a struck coin.
   If you contrast this to the security of physical bitcoins with holograms, I think there is no comparison.  It has been clearly demonstrated that solvents can lift off the hologram, and that it can be replaced with minimal effort and very minimal damage.  Also, the coins themselves are generally much less complex in design and would, I suspect, be less challenging to counterfeit.
   I feel really good about the security of these coins...particularly by the cipher system that they have in place which they claim is practically bullet-proof.
sr. member
Activity: 403
Merit: 250
BTC4.4008 each as of today
Where did you get that price?

THat BTC quote came up in my browser. I refreshed couple hours later and it went to BTC2.92. Weird
newbie
Activity: 28
Merit: 0
These are beautiful! I am about to order a few myself.
full member
Activity: 176
Merit: 101
Cryptographic money will be the bedrock in time.
In this case, it means that it will be impossible to resell these. Because say "John" buys a valid coin (containing the 2BTC) and is perfectly honest, when he tries to resell it to me, I have no idea if John is selling a real coin or a fake coin. Therefore these are only useful for personal cold storage and can never be resold.

Exactly they need some type of authentication on the coin, otherwise anyone can just contract one of hundreds of coin makers and have this made.

Also 2 btc premium over intrinsic is very high. I see this as purely a fun collectible/gift, not investment grade product.

Actually they are just 2.92 BTC.
hero member
Activity: 1316
Merit: 503
Someone is sitting in the shade today...
In this case, it means that it will be impossible to resell these. Because say "John" buys a valid coin (containing the 2BTC) and is perfectly honest, when he tries to resell it to me, I have no idea if John is selling a real coin or a fake coin. Therefore these are only useful for personal cold storage and can never be resold.

Exactly they need some type of authentication on the coin, otherwise anyone can just contract one of hundreds of coin makers and have this made.

Also 2 btc premium over intrinsic is very high. I see this as purely a fun collectible/gift, not investment grade product.
full member
Activity: 176
Merit: 101
Cryptographic money will be the bedrock in time.
15TJRaPX9zpBA8LVnbrCYPzrVzN3ixHNsC

Nothing comes up on blockchain

They said on there that was a simulated address for display purposes.
legendary
Activity: 1484
Merit: 1026
In Cryptocoins I Trust
Hi,

I'm wondering if the OP or someone from Alitin Mint can help me. I am failing to see how this is much of an improvement from tamper proof holograms. I am not trying to cause drama, I simply am wondering if I am thinking about it wrong. I know since I also make physical cryptocoins this will likely look like an attack of some sort, but I am genuinely worried about the security of your product and the claims you are making of how they are more secure than original physical Bitcoins with tamper proof holograms. I have spent many hours lately doing different experiments on how to improve security on the original design of physical Bitcoins, but I don't see this as a very good solution.

I think you guys protected the coin from the obvious... radiation techniques due to the engraved private key, but it seems to me the only line of defense against retrieving the private keys of these coins is the hologram on the coin case. Which as we know can likely be removed showing no to little signs using acetone, just like the older coins that you claim are inferior to yours. That defeats the whole sales pitch here.. minus the very attractive coin artwork. The process a bad actor could take is:

1. Have a replica of the plastic coin case made in China for $1-5 each
2. Remove the coin from the packaging and retrieve the private key from the edges of the coin.
3. Remove the hologram from the original coin case using acetone showing no to little signs of intrusion.
4. Print new labels, QR code, whatever is inside the coin case and put them in the new replica case.
5. Place the coin back in the replica coin case you had made and seal it.
6. Place the hologram on the coin case back where it should be like nothing happened.

I know Alitin says "you can send a picture by email and find out if it is counterfeit or not". However, I have a hard time believing that they do not do this by checking a certain security feature they added to their hologram. This is something that can be easily implemented in the old design of physical cryptocoins.. just a coin and a hologram.

I am just failing to see how this is any better. It would require a little more work to tamper with than a normal physical cryptocoin, but it is still doable IMO. Even at today's prices there is likely enough incentive (cost versus reward) to do this... imagine when Bitcoin really goes to the moon. Please prove me wrong, the reason for my post here today is purely academic and I wish Alitin Mint all the best. I hope I can make it to the Texas Bitcoin Conference to talk about this with you guys face to face and in depth. I only live a couple hours away so I think I can come.. I just have to see if I can get off work.

Thanks
newbie
Activity: 24
Merit: 0
15TJRaPX9zpBA8LVnbrCYPzrVzN3ixHNsC

Nothing comes up on blockchain
full member
Activity: 154
Merit: 100
legendary
Activity: 2646
Merit: 1137
All paid signature campaigns should be banned.
BTC4.4008 each as of today
Where did you get that price?
sr. member
Activity: 403
Merit: 250
BTC4.4008 each as of today
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