I am surprised that being a coin enthusiast forum, no one here is talking about these marvelous physical representation of the new age democratic decentralized currency.
I am not excited about bitcoins because I don't trust them. Some unknown guy comes up with an algorithm. Somehow he convinces others this somehow produces something of value. Today he holds a large percentage of all bitcoins in "existence". Traditionally a currency was backed by something. Gold, silver, copper, or a debt owed by a sovereign nation. Sure, nations have defaulted, wars have happened, etc., but that does not change what a currency is supposed to be. What underlying asset is behind a bitcoin? Btw, I was very happy to see the TPG labeling it a token. A coin has to be issued by a sovereign entity to be called a coin. Having said that, if you like them and enjoy them, more power too you. I never question any collector's habits. I am sure you wouldn't care for many of my coins.
I know this is not the forum to have a discussion on the merits of a bitcoin currency, but one thing in the above post needs to be clarified: the (unknown) creator(s) of the algorithm do not own a large percentage of all bitcoins in existence. One of the reasons the currency is gaining traction is for exactly the opposite reason -- the code is completely open source and cannot be hacked. By its very nature it can't be under the control of any individual or government. As long as enough users trust it, it can be used as a mechanism for facilitating commerce. A web search will turn up much more. While it's anyone's guess how long it will take for bitcoins to become mainstream, they are already in use and I don't see them going away. My bitcoin collection (on a USB stick) is worth far more than my 'real' coin collection.
My only comment was due to the OP's "new age democratic decentralized currency" comment. My collection of bitcoins is zero. My collection of USD's is also fairly low. I prefer to keep my net worth in assets, not in currency, not that I am saying bitcoins are a currency. I set the over/under at five years. What can kill the bitcoin will be either success, (in which case governments will outlaw and crack down on them as counterfeit currency), or when people recognize how vulnerable these can be to theft. But, as far as physical tokens denominated in bitcoins, nothing wrong with collecting them. Might make an interesting story someday, kind of like coalminer script, (which I do own).
FYI, the company that produce these coins are being shutdown because of business-killing regulations. http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2013/12/casascius/
