Originally published in 1794 as Geometric Money. "It is possible to cut 9 bills into 18 parts, then rearrange them to make 10 bills." The principle is very old and likely originated as an early method for counterfeiting money. In fact, in 1968, a man in London was sentenced to eight years in prison for using this scheme with British five-pound notes.
Having read this idea, Brent Braun set out to solve the problem of what the tearing of the bills would look like. After figuring out the proper tearing sequence, he then discovered that if you use sequential bills, you can maintain the correct serial number on most of the bills.
He quickly realized that if torn and then mounted, this creates an amazing art piece that tells the story of counterfeiters of the past while also creating a seemingly impossible object.
Does this really make a 10th bill? Are there really only 9 bills used? Could I really spend them? Has Brent really spent these? The simple answer is...Yes.
What are you buying?
An 18"x24" piece of art, constructed out of 9 real sequentially numbered American One-Dollar bills. The bills are torn, then reassembled, and matted on the highest quality black 100% acid free mounting board with a soft ivory 45 degree bevel. Accompanied with a description card that reads:
"While the bills above can be spent as ten, this art was created from only nine bills utilizing an underground counterfeiting technique published in 1794.
The bills seem mostly complete, yet each bill is actually missing about 10% of its surface area, with uneven rips masking the discrepancy. This subtle subtraction allows the counterfeiter to create the tenth bill.
Modern bills are printed with serial numbers on opposite ends (one high and one low) to prevent this type of counterfeiting. However, clever counterfeiters have techniques to overcome this small obstacle."
The frame is not included but this piece is designed to fit into a standard 18"x24" frame. Each one is individually made, signed and numbered.
Please allow 2-3 weeks shipping.
