Christian Langalis, famously known as the 'Bitcoin Sign Guy,' has auctioned the iconic 'Buy Bitcoin' sign he held behind Janet Yellen during a 2017 U.S. House Financial Services Committee hearing. The handwritten note, described as a "hastily drawn ink drawing on a yellow legal pad," sold for 16 BTC (worth over $1 million at the time), outperforming a private offer of 5 BTC.
The Auction Details
- Winning Bid: 16 BTC (~$1M) by anonymous user 'Squirrekkywrath'
- Auction Platform: Scarce City
- Certificate Options: Winner can choose a traditional paper certificate or a Bitcoin Ordinal
- Bid Collateral: 1% of the bitcoin bid required
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Why This Artifact Matters
The sign is among the few recognizable physical Bitcoin artifacts, given the cryptocurrency's digital nature. Langalis, now a developer on Urbit, previously earned ~17 BTC from replica sales in 2019. He plans to reinvest the auction proceeds into crypto projects.
Key Takeaways
- Cultural Symbol: The sign represents Bitcoin’s 2017 mainstream breakout moment.
- Market Sentiment: The 220% premium over the private bid reflects collector demand.
- Historical Value: Auction house highlights its status as a "virtual-to-physical crossover."
FAQs
Q: How much was the sign originally offered for privately?
A: Langalis declined a 5 BTC offer (~$350K), holding out for the auction.
Q: What happened with the 100 BTC misbid?
A: A bidder temporarily inflated the price to 100 BTC before correcting to 10 BTC.
Q: Where can I view similar crypto collectibles?
A: Platforms like Scarce City specialize in rare digital/physical crypto artifacts.
👉 Discover trending crypto collectibles
Langalis’ auction underscores Bitcoin’s cultural footprint beyond finance—a scribbled note now valued as a million-dollar slice of crypto history.
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