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Tuesday, December 2, 2008

2008 Capitalism vs. Capitalism

Posted by Eli Sanders on Tue, Dec 2, 2008 at 1:25 PM

The best thing about the story, via Ben Smith, of the U.S. Mint vs. cable television's Obama coins?

The best thing is that it's apparently totally legal to take a real U.S. silver dollar, coat it in plastic (or gold), add Obama's likeness, and resell this modified currency to people who buy such things via cable television advertisements.

In fact, you can kind of hear, in the U.S. Mint's statement on the matter, a grudging respect for the entrepreneurship behind it all:

These advertisements feature genuine United States coins that the private commercial businesses have altered by affixing a colorized image to the coin. Additionally, some businesses have treated the coins by gold-plating them.

These items are not official United States Mint products. Furthermore, these products, businesses, and advertisements are not approved, endorsed, sponsored, or authorized by the United States Mint, the Department of the Treasury, or the United States Government.

The United States Mint does not encourage, endorse, or sponsor products that alter the fundamental images depicted on its coins.

It doesn't encourage, endorse, or sponsor, but it's also not going to do much more than clarify and harrumph! Carry on, capitalists.

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For some reason I thought it ws illegal to profit off the image of a President (not including fair use by the news media).

Posted by elswinger on December 2, 2008 at 1:58 PM

Coin collecting is a weird hobby

Posted by Urgutha Forka on December 2, 2008 at 2:03 PM

I'm painting penny's as I write. Only one dollar each. Get yours today and I'll paint two pennies. That's two painted penny's for the price of one if you order yours today!

Posted by Vince on December 2, 2008 at 2:05 PM

I can't believe I actually get spam for these things now. I certainly think that was going to happen when I voted a month ago.

Posted by m on December 2, 2008 at 2:21 PM

Contrary to popular opinion, you can do anything you want to money as long as you don't try to pass it off as money afterwards.

Posted by Fnarf on December 2, 2008 at 2:29 PM

I'll bet there's just a bunch of waxy milk chocolate underneath that gold foil.

Posted by COMTE on December 2, 2008 at 2:57 PM

Oh capitialism! you silly, silly old girl.

Posted by Original Monique on December 2, 2008 at 3:03 PM