The Coins
This initiative honors digital freedom fighters with limited-edition silver coins, each tied to 0.01 BTC through secure BitNotes. Led by artist Roman Týc, it blends art, technology, and cryptocurrency, with only 100 coins minted per year.
Contributors
Description
The Coins Project is a series of limited-edition silver commemorative coins launched in 2017 under Paralelní Polis, with support from the Institute of Cryptoanarchy. The project honors individuals who have fought for digital freedom and internet independence, often facing persecution for their beliefs and actions. The figures commemorated so far include:
- 2017: Ross Ulbricht
- 2018: Julian Assange
- 2019: Aaron Swartz
- 2020: Edward Snowden
Each coin is connected to the decentralized world of cryptocurrency, particularly Bitcoin, containing the value of 0.01 BTC. This link is facilitated through BitNotes, which are paper notes with unique BTC addresses tied to the coin. These notes include security features and are guaranteed by Paralelní Polis, though the organization has no direct access to the coins' BTC.
BitNote and Bitcoin Integration
- BitNotes have unique BTC addresses corresponding to private keys guaranteed by the company.
- Paralelní Polis acts as a guarantor, but cannot access the BTC associated with the coins unless the second half of the code hidden under a scratch-off on the BitNote is revealed.
Art and Leadership
The project is led by Roman Týc, an artist and activist from the Ztohoven group, who also founded Paralelní Polis in 2014. He has a history of using technology in his art and activism. The production process of the coins combines craftsmanship and technology, symbolizing the fusion of art, science, and decentralized currency.
Limited Edition
Each annual edition is limited to 100 pieces, with the molds destroyed afterward, enhancing the collectible and technological value of the coins.
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