Silent Shore

Goods left on the sand and answered in kind, with no words spoken.

Front · 150 × 75 mm

Back of Silent Shore: the Silent trade (dumb barter) for gold tradition, how a note would work, and the traits of Noun #73 — Back · the tradition

Security Edition v2

The same note set like a banknote: full engraved portrait of Noun #73, guilloche, watermark, thread, foil stripe and microtext, all printed art. What's on it

Security Edition front of Silent Shore: a line-engraved portrait of the full actual Noun #73 in a guilloche oval beside a watermark window, thread and holographic-look stripe — Security Edition · front

Security Edition back of Silent Shore: a color medallion of Noun #73 in a guilloche rosette, with the note's story — Security Edition · back

v2 front SVG ↓ v2 back SVG ↓

The tradition · recorded c. 430 BCE

Silent trade (dumb barter) for gold

Herodotus, writing c. 430 BCE, told of Carthaginians leaving goods on an African shore beyond the Pillars of Heracles and withdrawing while locals set out gold, until both sides were satisfied.

Source: Silent trade (Encyclopaedia Britannica) ↗

How a note would work

Beacons are earned by leaving goods on a shared swap shelf that others accept and spent on items left there; nobody has to meet. They are never bought or cashed out.

Design concept inspired by this tradition, not issued by or for the people who keep it. Not legal tender, not for sale, no cash value, no redemption and no investment rights.

Front SVG ↓ Back SVG ↓ Machine edition

PlaceAtlantic coast, northwest Africa
Erarecorded c. 430 BCE
RegionAfrica & the Middle East
UnitBeacon · Beacons
Face value1 Beacon
SerialGB-G003-N0073
NounActual Noun #73 ↗
Why this NounA rangefinder is all about judging distance, and in silent trade both sides kept theirs.
Headrangefinder
Glassessquare black eyes red
Bodyredpinkish
Accessorystripes blue med
Seedbg 1 · body 24 · acc 91 · head 171 · glasses 1