Featured Image Credit: Reddit/Martoshka/Getty Stock Image
Topics: Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency, Reddit, Social Media, Money
Ella Scott
Topics: Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency, Reddit, Social Media, Money
The internet is divided by how much a man paid for a restaurant experience after leaving a physical Bitcoin on a table.
Bitcoin (BTC) is defined as a form of digital currency (cryptocurrency) which is used for encrypted, peer-to-peer transactions and operates independently of a central bank.
Because Bitcoin usually exists in cyberspace, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll ever see a coin in the wild.
But physical BTC does actually exist and, according to Crypto News, it could be worth more than its value depending on what it’s made out of.
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Some physical coins are 3D printed onto plastic or metal plating while others are stamped onto metals including gold, silver and brass. But regardless of its material, the currency looks and feels like an actual coin and - if you’re lucky - could be an actual collectable.
One Redditor has revealed he is now in possession of physical BTC and has taken to social media to debate whether it’s one of these sought-after coins.
Physical coins released by a Bitcoin user named Casascius and another called Lealana are popular with auction houses and collectors - with some selling for up to $360,000.
Taking to the popular ‘Mildly Infuriating’ thread on Monday (October 28) the Reddit user, known as Martoshka, uploaded an image of a coin.
Beside it, they wrote: “A guy left this on the table of the restaurant I work in and left without paying.”
Fellow social media users have swarmed to the thread to have their say.
One commented: “Lots of those were sold with associated wallets that actually had funds on them.
“Don't throw that away until you've had a few (trusted) friends familiar with the tech check it out to make sure you're not throwing away money.”
They added: “I'm not saying it's certain or even likely, but imagine how you'd feel if dude came in next week and was like ‘So how did that 10 grand change your life?’ and you're like ‘Wait that actually had value on it?’.
A second, however, wasn’t so sure and joked: “You can buy one on Amazon for a couple of bucks."
"Is there an unpeeled sticker on the other side? If so, don't be too hasty to throw it away, just in case," someone else remarked.
A fourth typed: “As someone who collects these it's a ‘Mini Brands’ toy collectable meant for kids. Got mine for 1€ few weeks ago.”
“Unless that is solid gold, I would be p***ed,” another user said.
Unfortunately, the Redditor could now have a mass-produced, novelty Bitcoin on their hands as, according to Amazon, you can buy these for a measly $8.99.
However, on the flip side, APMEX is selling a 1 oz Gold Round for $2,868.59. So, it looks like the restaurant employee could equally be rolling in cash.
According to Crypto News, there are a couple of steps the social media user can take to find out the exact BTC balance of the coin
First, they should find the wallet address or QR code and then use Blockchain Explorer to verify the validity of the coin.
Then, they will need to verify whether the wallet is secure. “There should be a private key under the public wallet address,” writes the publication.
“Verify that the public wallet address looks sound and is undamaged. If the public address sticker has been removed at any point, it’s possible that someone else has the private key as well and can access the wallet’s funds.”