a little necromancy is in order so people are aware these lovely coins are in fact still available.
We stock them over at www.physibit.com with the 0.5, 1 & 2BTC currently being held and 10, 20 & 50BTC coins on their way to us shortly.
If you're looking for multiple coins.. give me a DM and we can discuss pricing.
Viz
Topic: TGBEX, Limited Edition Physical Bitcoins (Read 5665 times)
Are you expecting to open up orders to outside of Europe? I live in the US.
If you need help, shout Halo
Not at this time.
Selling to US is likely to require licensing in each state, so costs are prohibitive.
Selling to US is likely to require licensing in each state, so costs are prohibitive.
Are you expecting to open up orders to outside of Europe? I live in the US.
TGBEX today announced we have had to temporarily withdraw 5-20BTC coins from sale (these will only be available in future to 'users' who register and provide ID documentation first).
This is in response to local legislation in the Isle of Man now requiring us to verify any customers wishing to purchase over €1,000 of physical bitcoins.
We obviously have to comply with any applicable regulations, which we are subject to.
Given this and that demand for the coins is likely to be impacted by the extra requirements, we have also reduced edition size to 499 for each of the coins still available on 'general sale' (the 0.5BTC, 1BTC & 2BTC coins) - 5BTC coins have been reduced to a total production size of 199 coins and the solid silver 10BTC/ 20BTC have been reduced in size to 99 of each.
We are investigating the implications of further regulations.
At all times we maintain a small stock of 'loaded' coins, with no other records of private keys maintained, so owners can be sure they control their bitcoin: they cannot be hacked, stolen by the DEA or 'lost' on a broken hard drive and control of bitcoins is not dependent on any 3rd party, including us.
This is in response to local legislation in the Isle of Man now requiring us to verify any customers wishing to purchase over €1,000 of physical bitcoins.
We obviously have to comply with any applicable regulations, which we are subject to.
Given this and that demand for the coins is likely to be impacted by the extra requirements, we have also reduced edition size to 499 for each of the coins still available on 'general sale' (the 0.5BTC, 1BTC & 2BTC coins) - 5BTC coins have been reduced to a total production size of 199 coins and the solid silver 10BTC/ 20BTC have been reduced in size to 99 of each.
We are investigating the implications of further regulations.
At all times we maintain a small stock of 'loaded' coins, with no other records of private keys maintained, so owners can be sure they control their bitcoin: they cannot be hacked, stolen by the DEA or 'lost' on a broken hard drive and control of bitcoins is not dependent on any 3rd party, including us.
Been a while since we updated this thread, but here are some more pictures which will hopefully give an idea of the level of detail achieved in the TGBEX coins
All coins are pre-stocked and pre-loaded, so there should be no fears about whether we can deliver, nor about the price rising and us failing to meet orders (there seem to be a number of other physical bitcoin manufacturers out there that make promises, but don't deliver)
We believe we are the only manufacturer out there that can sell physical bitcoins legally (have obtained legal, tax and banking due to operating model) and we do not require any ID for orders under $15,000 (though reserve the right to request documents if we believe any orders are 'suspicious')
We are now selling across the EU and hope to expand sales outside in the near future.
We also finally accept bitcoin payments!
Please do keep the feedback coming and we will be making some changes based on feedback here and elsewhere in the near future
Finally don't forget about the treasure hunt and your chance to win a 1btc coin (no. 019):
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/1btc-bitcoin-treasure-hunt-can-you-crack-the-code-competition-now-closed-967073
All coins are pre-stocked and pre-loaded, so there should be no fears about whether we can deliver, nor about the price rising and us failing to meet orders (there seem to be a number of other physical bitcoin manufacturers out there that make promises, but don't deliver)
We believe we are the only manufacturer out there that can sell physical bitcoins legally (have obtained legal, tax and banking due to operating model) and we do not require any ID for orders under $15,000 (though reserve the right to request documents if we believe any orders are 'suspicious')
We are now selling across the EU and hope to expand sales outside in the near future.
We also finally accept bitcoin payments!
Please do keep the feedback coming and we will be making some changes based on feedback here and elsewhere in the near future
Finally don't forget about the treasure hunt and your chance to win a 1btc coin (no. 019):
https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/1btc-bitcoin-treasure-hunt-can-you-crack-the-code-competition-now-closed-967073
Delivery normally within a week, but please allow for up to 10 days.
How long does shipment take
relisted on ebay for any non-UK buyers interested…
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Physical-Bitcoin-0-5-BTC-loaded-very-high-quality-/201211617831?pt=UK_Coins_OtherBritish_RL&hash=item2ed925a227
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Physical-Bitcoin-0-5-BTC-loaded-very-high-quality-/201211617831?pt=UK_Coins_OtherBritish_RL&hash=item2ed925a227
First second hand sale of coin:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201193542253?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&fromMakeTrack=true
Some decent pictures of coin there (hope to get proper pictures up on website soon)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201193542253?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&fromMakeTrack=true
Some decent pictures of coin there (hope to get proper pictures up on website soon)
I also wanted to add that the 20btc and 50btc coins are just ridiculous. Casascius bearer bars were high denomination, but only a few were made. It's like a pyramid. The higher the denomination, the harder it will be to sell, so fewer should be made. Casascius coins came out in 1btc each, when btc price was below $10. It was no problem for the average bitcoiner to buy 1btc, or even the 25btc coins back then. But now with the btc value and price premium you're on top of the face value, how many people do you think will drop thousands worth on these? There will probably be some buyers, but your audience will be greatly limited.
Relate these to selling silver bullion. You'll be able to sell smaller 1oz bars much faster, and you'll have more people able to buy these than if you were try to sell a 10kg bar.
Target market is different- we are not selling these as a novelty item, but as a serious investment proposition
Many serious investments come with a minimum investment of £10-50k (hedge funds) or £50-200k (private equity funds)
If the wealthy and powerful can be persuaded to take an interest in bitcoin, then what would this do for bitcoin markets, or potential future?
We have only sold a few higher denomination coins so far, so you could be right, but will be targeting affluent areas in London at the end of the month, so will see how plausible the higher denomination coins are soon....
Low value silver coins sound like a good idea (unless you investigate tax consequences...)
I'll put you down for a gold 100BTC coin? (in production) ;-)
Relate these to selling silver bullion. You'll be able to sell smaller 1oz bars much faster, and you'll have more people able to buy these than if you were try to sell a 10kg bar.
Target market is different- we are not selling these as a novelty item, but as a serious investment proposition
Many serious investments come with a minimum investment of £10-50k (hedge funds) or £50-200k (private equity funds)
If the wealthy and powerful can be persuaded to take an interest in bitcoin, then what would this do for bitcoin markets, or potential future?
We have only sold a few higher denomination coins so far, so you could be right, but will be targeting affluent areas in London at the end of the month, so will see how plausible the higher denomination coins are soon....
Low value silver coins sound like a good idea (unless you investigate tax consequences...)
I'll put you down for a gold 100BTC coin? (in production) ;-)
You still haven't addressed the problem of x-ray being able to see the keys. You see the engraved keys as a "secure feature", but I see it as a problematic liability. You can't deny the fact that certain instruments will be able to read right though the hologram without damaging it.
We have had a bit of trouble trying to test this, but am not sure it is a 'real' concern for most people- personally I do not know anyone with a x-ray machine and would be suspicious of anyone carrying one who wished to view/ scan coin....
Where it could possibly be a problem is at Airport baggage screening, but am not sure if most of these machines would have the resolution necessary to read keys...(again we do need to check this)
It is another argument against second hand sales- there are ways to compromise every physical bitcoin if you have access to it for long enough (weren't casascius coins 'hacked' with some glue and tweezers?)
You can x-ray paintings (as they do sometimes to see if picture painted underneath)- so this is a problem for all physical coins, not just engraved coins?
These do look nice coins, have you considered selling them unfunded?
Yes and no...
Company mission is to help adoption and introduce a new audience to bitcoin, so had no intentions to sell unfunded (guess target market would not be able to do this)
Quickly discovered many of bitcoin community would like to fund coins themselves (or want 2-factor/ multi-factor authentication, or many do not want anyone having access to their private key(s) at any time, all of which are fair enough points, but each of these also have their disadvantages)
The issue is what if someone buys unfunded and resells as funded? (would damage our image and leave us open to legal action?)
Guess we could make a non-denomination coin (but still with keys engraved/ hologram in place) that could be suitable for this
If it happens will send you the 001, but not planned yet I'm afraid (not convinced sufficient demand/ lower margins etc- would be cheaper to find an old coin and get one side smoothed/ engraved?)
Have a look at CrypArt.com for unfunded physical bitcoins......(launching soon)
Surely people would be able to check the public address on the back of the coin to figure out if it has funds on it? It would be a bit silly to buy a coin without photos of the front and back. You could differentiate the hologram writing colour like the lealana coin does. Black for manufacturer funded, green for buyer funded. I don't think you would be responsible if someone sold a coin as funded, when they knew it was not.
Yes they could (and we could still provide corresponding QR code in box to make this easier), but still brings risks....
Like the Lealana coins (built up a small collection of physical BTC/LTC as part of research), but think TGBEX is targeting a different market
Physical coins have been a novelty, enthusiasts like them as it helps explain the concept to people, but for a more serious investor, plastic/ cheap coins with keys on paper and glue do not seem sensible?
By engraving keys onto quality bronze alloy/ silver metals TGBEX coins will last longer and by having proper procedures, controls and compliance, we believe are a more 'investable' proposition (Antana coins are also great, but think I would rather rely on CADD systems to engrave keys, rather than any human?)
Plus think it might confuse non-enthusiasts if we were selling funded and unfunded? (friend has had an unfunded sample coin for a few months and has persuaded people/ could have sold it 4 or 5 times as loaded (admittedly always late on in pubs....))
Easy to get carried away with bitcoin and forget at least 90% (99%?) of people would not know how to check if loaded (and if it says 5BTC on it then some poeple might think that is good enough?
I also wanted to add that the 20btc and 50btc coins are just ridiculous. Casascius bearer bars were high denomination, but only a few were made. It's like a pyramid. The higher the denomination, the harder it will be to sell, so fewer should be made. Casascius coins came out in 1btc each, when btc price was below $10. It was no problem for the average bitcoiner to buy 1btc, or even the 25btc coins back then. But now with the btc value and price premium you're on top of the face value, how many people do you think will drop thousands worth on these? There will probably be some buyers, but your audience will be greatly limited.
Relate these to selling silver bullion. You'll be able to sell smaller 1oz bars much faster, and you'll have more people able to buy these than if you were try to sell a 10kg bar.
Relate these to selling silver bullion. You'll be able to sell smaller 1oz bars much faster, and you'll have more people able to buy these than if you were try to sell a 10kg bar.
You still haven't addressed the problem of x-ray being able to see the keys. You see the engraved keys as a "secure feature", but I see it as a problematic liability. You can't deny the fact that certain instruments will be able to read right though the hologram without damaging it.
These do look nice coins, have you considered selling them unfunded?
Yes and no...
Company mission is to help adoption and introduce a new audience to bitcoin, so had no intentions to sell unfunded (guess target market would not be able to do this)
Quickly discovered many of bitcoin community would like to fund coins themselves (or want 2-factor/ multi-factor authentication, or many do not want anyone having access to their private key(s) at any time, all of which are fair enough points, but each of these also have their disadvantages)
The issue is what if someone buys unfunded and resells as funded? (would damage our image and leave us open to legal action?)
Guess we could make a non-denomination coin (but still with keys engraved/ hologram in place) that could be suitable for this
If it happens will send you the 001, but not planned yet I'm afraid (not convinced sufficient demand/ lower margins etc- would be cheaper to find an old coin and get one side smoothed/ engraved?)
Have a look at CrypArt.com for unfunded physical bitcoins......(launching soon)
Surely people would be able to check the public address on the back of the coin to figure out if it has funds on it? It would be a bit silly to buy a coin without photos of the front and back. You could differentiate the hologram writing colour like the lealana coin does. Black for manufacturer funded, green for buyer funded. I don't think you would be responsible if someone sold a coin as funded, when they knew it was not.
These do look nice coins, have you considered selling them unfunded?
Yes and no...
Company mission is to help adoption and introduce a new audience to bitcoin, so had no intentions to sell unfunded (guess target market would not be able to do this)
Quickly discovered many of bitcoin community would like to fund coins themselves (or want 2-factor/ multi-factor authentication, or many do not want anyone having access to their private key(s) at any time, all of which are fair enough points, but each of these also have their disadvantages)
The issue is what if someone buys unfunded and resells as funded? (would damage our image and leave us open to legal action?)
Guess we could make a non-denomination coin (but still with keys engraved/ hologram in place) that could be suitable for this
If it happens will send you the 001, but not planned yet I'm afraid (not convinced sufficient demand/ lower margins etc- would be cheaper to find an old coin and get one side smoothed/ engraved?)
Have a look at CrypArt.com for unfunded physical bitcoins......(launching soon)
These do look nice coins, have you considered selling them unfunded?
Better picture of 1BTC coin boxed:
Actual coin on ebay now (earliest 1BTC coin ever available for public sale):
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111479191177?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
Actual coin on ebay now (earliest 1BTC coin ever available for public sale):
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111479191177?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
Just reduced prices for any UK buyers, in line with BTC price (had some issues with price feeds that should hopefully be sorted out this week)
Still have 2BTC coins numbered under 010 and 5 and 10BTC coins numbered under 006
0.5BTC coins and 1BTC coins approaching 020
Still have 2BTC coins numbered under 010 and 5 and 10BTC coins numbered under 006
0.5BTC coins and 1BTC coins approaching 020
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