CHARM (Lucky)

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES

This case claims priority to International Application No. PCT/US2024/014687, having an international filing date Feb. 7, 2024; this case also claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/107,065 to Bentz et al., filed Feb. 8, 2023, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/142,414 to Bentz et al., which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/959,305 to Bentz et al., the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties as well as their selectable parts.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to luxury items in the form of charms, e.g., which may take the form of lucky tokens/holders. More specifically, the invention relates to optionally shiny and sparkly coin-based charms that objectively embody good luck, magic, goodwill and/or promise in a universal human manner, but particularly and generally to persons who believe that magic, luck, goodwill and/or promise should be spread through the exchange of tangible charms.

There is a saying that holds: “See a penny, pick it up. All day long you'll have good luck.” Consistent with the saying, there exist coins in all cultures that are thought to be associated with good luck as well as with goodwill.

Luck is often created and/or personalized. In some instances, luck represents the fulfilment of a real or imaginary promise. Thus, luck may be equated with a promise, wish, imagination, or hope, e.g., associated with the Make a Wish Foundation (wish.org), which creates life-changing wishes for children. Luck can also be associated with governmental matters; lucky litigants in courts win; losers may not be quite so lucky.

Luck's application may be legal in nature outside of traditional notions of government. For example, in the “law” of American football, two flips of a coin may be used to decide rules of play. A first toss decides who gets to “call it.” A second toss decides who gets to kick off or receive. Thus, while the probabilities of coin tosses are 50-50, it is interesting to note that about 60 to 70 percent of the times, the “caller” will declare “heads.” That is, there is an objective aspect of luck and luckiness that may not be purely random.

Luck may be good or bad. For example, a found or gifted heads-side-up penny is generally considered a good luck penny. A stolen penny may bring its thief bad luck. In some instances, the nature of luck may be transitory. In other circumstances, luck may exhibit permanence.

Coins are issued by governments as legal tender currency. However, the intrinsic value of such coins is associated with magical math that many find charming. For example, under current market conditions, a penny issued by the United States government is worth only $0.01 dollar. However, substantially pure copper pennies are worth more in metal, collectability, manufacturability and historical value than their face value and are worth collecting in large amounts for those interested in investing in penny collections. This is an example of magical math.

With the above considerations in mind, there exist many opportunities to provide a useful, novel, and nonobvious charm that conforms to wants of the luxury market with focus on luck, lucky items, and luckiness. The invention described herein represents unique embodiments of such charms, wherein the luckiness of such charms may be fungible, transferable, and/or passed on in a manner that perpetuates magic, goodwill, and/or promise, optionally in a rechargeable fashion.

SUMMARY

As a first embodiment, a lucky charm is provided. The charm/token comprises a coin that represents the legal-tender currency of a member nation of the United Nations, typically after the formation of the United Nations as the nation is deemed a voting member thereof. Although the coin has a native color, the coin is coated with a material, e.g., typically a metallic alloy of a plurality of elements, which visually alters, in selectable part or in whole, the native color of the coin. For example, the native color may be altered so that the charm may appear gold, silver, and/or black, in part (selectable, randomly, and/or artistically) or in whole. The charm is held by a holder that holds the charm in a lucky orientation or manner, e.g., heads up for viewing. As a result, a sense of magic, luxury, goodwill, promise, and/or collectability is associated with the charm, regardless whether sentimentality is involved.

The coin may take any number of forms. For example, the coin may be a penny issued by the government of United States of America, a member nation of the United Nations. In such a case, the native color of the coin may be copper or an alloy thereof. In other cases, the native color of the coin may be that of nickel, aluminum, iron, or an alloy/compound thereof. Preferably, the coin represents the lowest denomination of currency for the nation associated with the coin at a relevant time. The coin may have a minting date in the 1940's after the formation of the United Nations, or in the more recent years, e.g., in the 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, 1990's, 2000's, 2010's, or 2020's. Such coins may be called pre-millennial, millennial, or post-millennial coins. Other lucky coins may, for example, be associated with a European country, e.g., United Kingdom, with a collection of European nations such is the case with Euro coins, or with an Asian country, e.g., India, China, and Japan. The United Kingdom is associated with royalty and rule around the world; at one point, the sun never set on the Britch empire. Thus, as a sign of goodwill, royalty of the United Kingdom may visit former British/European realms/colonies in North America, South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Even Antarctica has connections with Britannia because Antarctica was explored by Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton CVO OBE FRGS FRSGS. It is unclear, though, whether pennies have penetrated marketplaces in all seven continents, if one considered cruise ships (luxury or otherwise) that visit Antarctica, either by personal physical proximity or by use of marketing materials, e.g., electronically or via online means. The invention is particularly suited for vacation spots and resorts where magic, goodwill, and promise of renewal and relaxation may occur. The invention may also serve as a tangible souvenir or keepsake of pleasant memories.

Thus, the invention may or may not exclude coins of certain nations that may not “play well with others” as not-playing-well-with-others is typically considered not a property or characteristic of goodwill. Russia, as of 2023 or 2024, appears not to “play well” with Ukraine, but such ill will between the nations associated with the invention may be resolved in the future. For purposes of this case hereafter, the geographic jurisdictional issues associated with the invention are hereby designed as associated with all land masses of all continents as well as land masses associated with Oceania, i.e., Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and Arctic Oceans (and included seas).

Through experimentation, it has been found that coins and charms associated with actual and/or constructive governmental minting dates of 2023 and beyond, e.g., 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, . . . 2030, 2031, 2032, . . . 2040, 2041, etc., may be effective to provide a particularly great sense of magic, goodwill, and/or promise. Such a sense of magic, goodwill, and/or promise is a matter of objective fact rather than subjective observation. In fact, there is current talk in the United States that pennies will no longer be coined. If this talk comes to fruition, the supply of pennies will be reduced, thereby rendering the invention more objectively valuable. That is, the embodiments of the invention will become more magical, will exhibit more goodwill, and will become more imbued with a sense of promise associated with a scarcity of supply.

Similarly, commemorative coins may be coined by national mints. Typically, commemorative coins have a face value that is lower than the actual value of the coins in terms of raw material, collectability, etc. For example, it is believed that the US mint still coins commemorative gold coins of approximately 0.25 ounces in weight that has a face value of five dollars, which in turn, as of 2025, retails on the open market for approximately $900 USD. Thus, commemorative coins may be used in a manner that is consistent with “magic” (as in magical math) and/or “goodwill” (which may be intangible in its pure form, yet still be legally operative) and/or “collectability” (which may be a thing valued by collectors and collections) and/or promise (which is intrinsic to items made by national mints). Such coins may be of a standardized or standardization nature.

The appearance of the coins/charms may be beautified by coating the coins with a precious metal such as gold, e.g., 10, 14, 18, 22, or 24 karat gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. Rhodium and/or iridium may also be used as a protective coating since rhodium and/or iridium, like gold, silver, and platinum, typically do not trigger any allergic reaction when held against human tissue for an extended time. As a possible working definition of an “extended time period,” it is meant that the inventive charm may be worn as a pendant dangling from a necklace around a human neck without causing irritation or any allergic reaction over continuously over a period of at least about one day to one week or more.

In other words, hypo-allergenicity is a key feature of the invention. It is “lucky” when no allergic or undesirable chemical and/or adverse human biological reactions take place. This is a key to the luxury aspect of the invention, as hypoallergenic metals and/or alloys, e.g., over all or substantially the entirety of the surface of inventive charm, provide a level of comfort not associated with nonluxury commodities. That is, the inventive charm may have no irritating surface material. As Coco Chanel, a purveyor of luxury goods, once stated: “Luxury must be comfortable; otherwise, it is not luxury.” Also, Chanel also has been attributed to stating: “Some people think luxury is the opposite of poverty. It is not. It is the opposite of vulgarity.”

Thus, money in the form of everyday coins is associated with luxury and, in turn, with a universal sense of magic, goodwill, and/or promise. After all, everyone is familiar with the usefulness and of the appearance of money. Contrary to certain aphorisms of stupidity attributed to Publilius Syrus, familiarity breeds not contempt but a sense of comfort; it is doubtful that any human individual, unless pathological, is uncomfortable with money in the form of coins. Comfort also means the substantial absence of pain or other undesirable (bio) chemical reactions.

Comfort is luxurious, not vulgar. Thus, comfort in the form of magic, goodwill, and/or promise, is also another key feature of the invention. Allergic reactions are the antithesis of comfort. Coins are not vulgar.

In fact, comfort may be an aspect of the invention that is both transitory and permanent in nature. That is, the invention may be represented by a tangible item of heirloom that allows the passing of good luck to successive generations. In such a case, with each passing of the heirloom, luck associated with the invention is renewed or recharged or even transformed into an even more desirable or special form that optionally leverages the power of generational affection and/or the power of belief, e.g., faith, and sentimentality.

When gold or an alloy thereof is used in the practice of the invention, an aesthetically pleasing hue may be achieved. Thus, the invention may involve a coating of white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, and the like. The more economically valuable the coating is in terms of raw material and processing expense, the more sense of magic, goodwill, promise the invention should embody.

In some instances, the coins may be coated with a nonnative material that is dark in color such as black for a masculine appearance. Coating compounds may include elements from the same column of the periodic table as Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and/or Zn. However, one must be somewhat careful with the use of Ni, e.g., because nickel sometimes causes irritation of living human flesh, e.g., when used as a post or as a hook in earrings intended for pierced ears. Thus, even surgical grade stainless steel may sometime not be suitable for use with the invention.

Thus, metals associated with the invention should not leave a mark on human tissue when worn for an extended amount of time. This means that certain metals and alloys should be excluded for the invention because tarnoutishing behavior of metals detracts from the luxury aspect of the invention. Because chromium is a kinetically desirable metal in terms of anti-tarnishing performance, high chromium content in conjunction with the practice of the invention may be desirable.

Further beautification may be achieved by bejeweling the charm, e.g., with one or more crystals. Optionally, bejeweling may take place on either face, front and/or back of the charm, and/or about an edge of the charm. Further optionally, the charm may further comprise a holder immobilized to the coin, wherein the holder may be bejeweled with gems or crystals, e.g., in pavé style. Sometimes, bejeweling only takes place on the holder without bejeweling the coin itself. The holder itself, e.g., bejeweled about its edge, adapted and/or constructed for orienting or otherwise rendering coins in a lucky manner, without a coin immobilized thereto, may also be considered a key aspect of the invention. The holder may permanently or releasably hold a coin.

In another embodiment, a lucky charm comprising a coin that represents legal tender currency of a member nations of the United Nations, wherein the charm is bejeweled. The Euro coin is particularly preferred because on one face of the Euro coin, a great work of art by Leonardo da Vinci may be present. The great work of art is generally known as Study of Man or Vitruvian Man (see FIG. 6B.) Such great works of art are typically considered physical embodiments of “magic, goodwill and/or promise.” Sometimes, great works of art may be government sponsored.

The charm may also be physically associated with a trademark, e.g., the trademark associated with U.S. Trademark Registration No. 6026798 or the trademarks associated with U.S. Trademark Ser. Nos. 98/130,098 and 98130101. The inventive charm may, in addition or in the alternative, be associated with other trademarks and/or services marks as well, as trademarks are generally a legal matter governing goodwill in a commercial sense. The USPTO is organized as a part of the US Department of Commerce.

In a further embodiment, lucky jewelry or a collector item is comprising a coin the represent legal tender currency of a member nation of the United Nations, the coin having a native color, wherein the coin is coated with a material that visually alters the native color of the coin, and/or the coin is bejeweled. Such jewelry or collector item may take the form of a charm, ring, earring, pendant, decoration, or bracelet, of a sufficiently light weight so as to not cause discomfort.

Other embodiments of the invention are described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the “heads” or front face of a charm of the invention, wherein the coin of the invention primarily shows its obverse side.

FIG. 2, shows the “tails” or back face (reverse side) of a lucky charm shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A and 3B, collectively referred to as FIG. 3, show the bejeweled edge of the lucky charm of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the invention in the form of a lucky pendant.

FIGS. 5A and 5B, collectively referred to as FIG. 5, show how a Japanese coin having a through hole may be used to form a part of the charm of the invention. FIG. 5A shows the front face of the coin forming the charm. FIG. 5B. shows the back face of the coin forming the charm.

FIGS. 6A and 6B, collectively referred to as FIG. 6, show how a Euro coin having a bicolored native state may be used to form a part of the charm of the invention. FIG. 6A shows the front face of the coin. FIG. 6B shows the back face of the coin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before describing the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific luxury items, as such may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiment(s) only and is not intended to be limiting.

In addition, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular article forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a charm” includes a plurality of charms as well as a single charm, reference to “a crystal” includes a single crystal as well as a combination of crystals, and the like.

Furthermore, terminology indicative or suggestive of a particular spatial relationship between elements of the invention is to be construed in a relative sense rather an absolute sense unless the context of usage clearly dictates to the contrary. For example, the terms “up” and “down” as used to describe the spatial orientation of faces of the inventive charm do not necessarily indicate that a particular face of the inventive charm is located above another face.

In this specification and in the claims that follow, reference will be made terms that shall be defined to have the following meanings, unless the context in which they are employed clearly indicates otherwise:

The term “array” is used to refer to an ordered (or alternatively at least somewhat disordered) series or arrangement of items such as crystals or jewels. Arrays of the invention may be circular, semicircular, rectilinear, ordered, etc.

The term “charm” is used in its ordinary sense and generally refers to an item, e.g., a small ornament that may be worn on a necklace of bracelet, that is believed to have magical power and/or that possesses the power or quality of giving delight or arousing admiration. The power of jewelry and charms are generally known to fine jewelry artists such as Paloma Picasso, and information pertaining to Ms. Picasso's jewelry can be found at www.tiffany.com/jewelry/shop/paloma-picasso/under the Paloma Picasso® trademark. The artistry of the inventive charm may be theatrically based as well in a “Woz” manner as well.

The terms “electronic,” “electronically,” and the like are used in their ordinary sense and relate to structures, e.g., semiconductor microstructures, that provide controlled conduction of electrons, holes and/or other charge carriers. For example, the term “electronic cryptographic means” may refer to the use of NFT and/or cryptocurrency in conjunction with the invention in a manner that involves controlled conduction of electrons in a digital and/or analog manner.

The terms “fabulous” and “fabulousness” are used herein in their ordinary jewelry, fashion, accessory, and couture sense and mean amazingly good, wonderful, mythical, marvelous, superb, first-class, first rate, stupendous, tremendous and/or extraordinary excellent.

The term “crystal” is used to refer to a piece of a homogeneous solid substance having a geometrically regular form with symmetrically arranged planar and/or curved surfaces. For example, highly transparent glass with a high refractive and/or dispersion index may be used to form beads of crystals. Crystals are typically considered beautiful rather than ugly. Examples of crystals can be found at www.swarovski.com. Other examples of crystals may take the form of beads, diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, topazes, citrines, amethysts, quartz, etc.

The term “gem” is used in its ordinary sense and refers to a precious or semiprecious stone, especially when cut and polished or engraved. Gems and crystals of the invention may be natural, synthetic, or lab grown. Oxide gems, e.g., sapphires, rubies, silicates, etc., are particularly lucky, irrespective whether the microstructure thereof are fully ordered, partially ordered, or amorphous. Optimally, lab-grown or synthetic carbide or carbon-rich gems, e.g., diamonds, may be used.

Natural materials such as tanzanite or jade may be used with the invention as well. Because natural materials may exhibit some flaws, the flaws may render the inventive charms more charming.

Thus, the invention may use any of a number of gems/stones associated with birthdays and/or birth months. The following table sets forth, by month, birthstones, guardian angel birthstones, and special apostle birthstones for each of the twelve months of the solar calendar year:

TABLE I
		Guardian Angel	Special Apostle
Month	Month Birthstone	Birthstone	Birthstone
January	Garnet	Onyx	Jasper
February	Amethyst	Jasper	Red Garnet
March	Aquamarine, Bloodstone	Ruby	Emerald
April	Diamond	Topaz	Carnelian
May	Emerald	Red Garnet	Peridot
June	Pearl, Moonstone,	Emerald	Beryl
	Alexandrite
July	Ruby	Sapphire	Topaz
August	Peridot, Spinel	Diamond	Sardonyx
September	Sapphire	Jacinth	Chrysoprase
October	Opal, Tourmaline	Agate	Jacinth
November	Topaz, Citrine	Amethyst	Amethyst
December	Turquoise, Zircon,	Beryl	Sapphire
	Tanzanite

• • Similarly, the invention may employ stones, gems, and compounds associated with the five elements of oriental culture. The five elements of oriental culture are: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Jade is the grand master of stones of oriental culture, so the invention may incorporate jadeite and/or nephrite. These oriental stones, gems, and compounds may exhibit one or more colors of the rainbow in many combinations. Translucent green jade is often coveted, though violet as a color for jade beautifully embodies magic, goodwill, and promise as well.

The term “jewel” and “bejeweled” are used in their ordinary sense and refer to precious stones, crystals, and/or gems, typically a single crystal or piece of a hard lustrous or translucent mineral cut into shape with flat facets or smoothed and polished for use as an ornament. Thus, a “bejeweled” item refers to an item that is covered or adorned with jewels.

Jewels and/or gems of the invention may take a single color or a plurality of colors such as the case with rainbows. Exemplary colors include clear (colorless), pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, etc. The jewels and/or gems of the invention may also have an index or refraction and/or dispersion similar to that of a diamond and/or similar to that of leaded glass. Jewels and gems are generally considered lucky and may be used to represent/provide a sense of magic, good will and/or promise.

In addition, different colors may evoke different emotions when the invention is provided in wearable form. For example, clear crystals may evoke hope and associated feelings such as divine connection, wisdom, oneness, healing, unity, guidance, truth, protection, and/or intuition. Pink crystals may evoke devotion, and associated qualities such as love, friendship, compassion, honesty, romance, health, generosity, kindness and/or faith. Vermilion crystals may evoke red qualities such as passion, excitement, sensuality, power, courage, positivity, vitality, strength and/or leadership. Blaze orange crystals may evoke happiness, energy, pleasure, adventure, fun, security, strength, enthusiasm, and/or optimism. Radiant topaz yellow crystals may evoke personal power, cheer, wisdom, new beginnings, clarity, enthusiasm, new awakenings, intelligence, and/or spiritual enlightenment. Evergreen or fern green crystals may evoke healing energy, deep commitment, love, abundance, gentleness, tranquility, calmness, personal growth, and/or patience. Skyla sapphire blue crystals may evoke justice, trust, empathy, loyalty, calmness, growth, willpower, peacefulness, and/or devotion. Royalty iris violet crystals may evoke liberality, empathy, loyalty, intuition, compassion, vision, psychic ability, spirituality, and/or openness. When the colors are combined into an iridescent rainbow collection of crystals, promise is signified and/or provided, with emphasis on hope, new beginnings, harmony, peace, love, balance, leap of faith, purpose and/or serenity. Thus, the invention may be evocatively lucky as well. That is, evocatively luckiness represents another novel and nonobvious aspect of the invention.

The term “legal tender currency” refers to tangible items that represent the expression of money. Examples of currency include the U.S. dollar, the euro of the European Union, the pound of the United Kingdom, and the yen of Japan. In the year 2023, the lowest denomination of United States legal tender currency in the form of a coin is the penny, which is equivalent to one cent. Similarly, in the year 2023, the lowest denominations of currency of the UK legal tender currency are the penny and two pence. Equivalent denomination currency of other countries of the United Nations (lowest or otherwise) can be used with the invention as well.

The term “lucky” is used in its ordinary sense and refers to having, bringing, or resulting from good luck, a force that brings good fortune.

The term “luxury” refers the state of comfort and extravagant living, regardless of whether the state of living is expensive in nature. Luxury necessarily implies “comfort.”

The term “native” as in “native color of a coin” refers to the color and/or hue or other innate characteristic of the coin that is associated with the coin's minting. For example, the native color/hue of a dollar coin in US currency minted in the year 2019 is believed to be that of manganese brass, which is like color(s)/hue(s) of gold. As another example, the native color/hue of a penny coin in US currency minted in the year 2019 is believed to be that of electroplated and untarnished copper. Thus, gold, silver, and/or black may be a “nonnative” color of the penny coin of the United States.

The term “obverse” is generally used to refer the side of a coin or medal bearing the head or principal design. In other words, the obverse side of a coin is the side of the coin that is the “other,” “back,” or “reverse” side. Typically, the obverse side of the coin is held in a right-side-up manner instead of an up-side-down manner. For US coins, the obverse and reverse sides are oriented in a manner such that upsides thereof are shown when the coins are rotated along a horizontal axis rather an along a vertical axis. Right-side-up is usually a preferred orientation relative to an up-side-down orientation for coin face display purposes. For non US coins, the obverse and reverse sides may be oriented in a manner that upsides thereof are shown when the coins are rotated along a vertical axis rather than along a horizontal axis.

The terms “optional” and “optional” as used herein, refer to referents that follow the terms existent or nonexistent. Thus, when the invention is embodied in a form that includes an optional element, the element may or may not be present depending on situational usage of the terms.

The terms “permanence” and “permanent” are used in their ordinary sense and refer to the state or quality of lasting or remaining unchanged indefinitely. For example, the invention may possess an electronic and/or other substantial quality that allows at least an aspect thereof to have a great, indefinite, lasting, enduring (or remaining unaltered or unalterable) quality.

The term “promise” is used in its ordinary sense and refers to a declaration or an assurance that one will do a particular thing or that a particular thing will happen.

The term “substantially identical” as used to describe a plurality of items is used to indicate that the items are identical to a considerable degree, but that absolute identicalness is not required. For example, when beads are said to have “substantially identical optical properties,” the beads may appear identical or sufficiently near identical such that any differences in their appearance are trivial in nature, e.g., as is the case for diamonds and cubic zirconia crystal. The terms “substantial” and “substantially” are used analogously in other contexts involving an analogous definition.

The term “token” is used herein refers to a thing serving as a visible and/or tangible representation of a fact, quality, feeling, etc. Tokens may sometimes be exchanged for goods or services, typically one given as a gift or offered as part of a promotional offer. Charms of the invention may take the form of tokens.

In general, then, the invention relates to magical charms formed using coins of national currency. The magical tokens are associated with good luck and goodwill. The charms of the invention are typically beautiful in nature and may exhibit a color and luster different from the native surface properties of the coins from which they are formed. In some cases, the charms and/or tokens are described as “lucky pennies.”

FIGS. 1-3 depict an exemplary charm of the invention. As shown, a charm 1, is formed from a coin 3 in the form of a penny, which represents legal tender currency of the United States of America. The penny is of a minting date after the founding of the United Nations. FIG. 1 shows the front face 5 (or heads side) of the charm 1. FIG. 2 shows the back face 7 (or tails side) of charm 1.

Charm 1 is formed by immobilizing penny 3 relative to holder 9, which forms a bezel about penny 3. Holder 9 may be formed from any number of materials. Typically, holder 9 is metallic in nature and may be rendered electrically conductive relative to the pendant for processing steps, such as electroplating, evaporation, sputtering, or other ionic and/or vapor deposition of a metal thereon. Physical cladding/leafing techniques may be used as well. Depending on the particular processing steps used in forming charm 1, the coin 3 and the holder 9 may have the same or different color and/or luster.

FIG. 3 shows the outer edge 11 of charm 1. The edge 11 is encrusted with a circular array of gems 13 in the form of Swarovski® crystals, though other types of crystals, jewels and/or gems may be used. As shown, gems 13 are substantially identical in shape, form, and composition, but such identical properties are necessarily required. Typically, the gems are arranged in a manner to enhance the beauty and luxuriousness of the charm 1.

As shown, the entirety of the first face of the coin, i.e., the “heads” side of the coin is exposed. Thus, the heads-up orientation, or the lucky orientation, of the coin is achieved. Only the center of the second face of the coin, i.e., the “tails” side of the coin is exposed. Thus, the heads side is exposed to a greater degree than the tails side of the coin. The holder has an outer diameter greater than that of the penny. That is, the outer diameter of the holder is about 2.1 cm to about 3 cm and an inner diameter of about 1.6 cm to about 0.1 cm.

In some instances, the front (heads) side of the coin may be entirely exposed, and the back (tails) side of the coin may be entirely covered by the holder 9. In such a case, the part of the holder closest to the back side of the coin may be bejeweled, e.g., with a single gem or crystal at the center of the holder's back surface. Optionally, text or other engraving may be present at the back surface of the holder. Such text or other engraving may represent a trademark of the charm maker. Since trademarks are associated with commercial goodwill, both faces or sides of the charm may be considered filled full of goodwill, and in turn, filled full of luck.

One particularly best practice/mode associated with the invention allows the charm of the invention to exhibit a structural orientation so that any language/numerical aspects of the coin to be displayed in an upright and/or non-askew manner, regardless of the precise language and/or numerical convention physically embodied in the coin, e.g., regardless whether the coin is from European, Asian (e.g., Chinese, Japanese, Korea, etc.), or any other continent. For coins exhibiting character(s) not found in the English alphabet, the characters should be naturally upright oriented relative to an uppermost reference point. In other words, when the invention is used in an environment where gravitational forces are in play, e.g., Earth, the charm of the invention should exhibit the height of its luckiness, wherein the coin is displayed “right-side-up” instead of “up-side-down.”

The following is a description of the process in which the charm shown in FIGS. 1-3 are made. First, a coin 3 in the form of a penny is provided. Typically, the coin 3 is provided new from a reliable source, e.g., the U.S. Mint (or foreign equivalents thereof), so that its surface is clean. Alternatively, the coin may be cleaned by dipping it into a solution of cleaning fluid, e.g., a weak acid, to render the coin's surface sufficiently impurity free, thus, allowing a coating of a different material to be deposited and/or accepted thereon in a manner that results in a sufficiently strong bond for durability of the charm's use. Often, the coating may be of a material having a higher intrinsic value than that of the coin in general. In general, then, the outer surface of the inventive charm may be of a precious metal, e.g., as discussed below. Or, the coating may be substantially invisible to the naked eye but helps protect an underlying material from corroding or tarnishing, e.g., as the case of silver. Such coating may alter that surface color of the inventive charm, but only in a machine detectable, e.g., spectroscopically and/or spectrometically detectable manner. The color change may be in the “visible” or in the ultraviolet and/or infrared regime.

Then, the penny is immobilized in the holder 9 in such a way to facilitate the deposition of gold or a gold alloy, e.g., 18 to 24 karat gold, or other precious metal thereon. In some embodiments, deposition of metal may be carried out via electroplating. In such a case, the coin 3 and the holder 9 may be rendered electrically conductive relative to each other during the immobilization step, e.g., via soldering or some other type of metal-to-metal binding.

In other embodiments, deposition may be carried out using vapor deposition or some other deposition technique, e.g., dipping, that renders the charm extraordinarily beautiful while remaining recognizable as legal governmental tender upon initial inspection. In any case, the coin and the holder may or may not have to be rendered electrically conductive relative to each other in formation steps.

Care must be taken when gold electroplating is carried out such that no residue toxic material ends up with the final product. For example, cyanide electrochemical baths may be used in gold electroplating. The inventive charm should be free of cyanide(s) and other chemicals that may accidentally produce bad luck or compromise hypo-allergenicity.

In a variant embodiment, the coin 3 and the holder 9 may be of different surface materials. As a result, the charm may exhibit a plurality of different colors.

Surface material(s) may be selected to provide properties effective to reduce the appearance of wear and tear upon rough usage of physical embodiments of the invention. Thus, while the gold may be used near or on the surface of the inventive charm, a substantially invisible and tough layer of material may be coated on the entire exterior of the inventive charm, to provide the charm itself with a lucky protectiveness coating.

Substantially the entirety of the inventive lucky charm's exterior may consist essentially of about a composition of matter, e.g, of about 18K to about 23.9K gold alloy, as pure gold may not exhibit sufficient mechanical toughness suitable for the practice of the invention. That is, counterintuitively, pure gold may not be suitable for the best mode practice of the invention, depending on any of a variety of usage factors. Somewhat optically interesting coatings such as those associated with chromium oxide, rhodium oxide, indium tin oxide and/or nitrides such as titanium nitride, e.g., hypoallergenic TiN may enhance the best mode practice of the invention. Hexavalent chromium is to be avoided at substantially all costs. The hazards of hexavalent chromium are well known, and dangers thereof are depicted in the 2000 film, “Erin Brockovich,” starring Julia Roberts, Oscar Award® winner.

Incidentally, rhodium is considered a noble metal (as are, e.g., gold, silver, platinum), so other noble metals may be used depending on how luckiness is to be exhibited by the inventive charm. In other words, the invention provides a means for transforming national and/or international coins of legal tender currency into any of a variety of different and/or distinctive compositions of matter, e.g., with desirable thermodynamic and/or kinetic properties.

FIG. 4 depicts pendant 15 of the invention using a process like that described above. As shown, the pendant includes a loop 17 through which a chain or string may extend to allow a user to wear the pendant as a necklace.

Thus, charms or like items such as jewelry and other collector items are produced that exhibit stunning beauty, e.g., via proper lighting in a presentation or gift box. That is, charms of the invention are particularly suited for display in jewelry store or other jeweler's setting wherein electrical lights, e.g., wired and/or battery powered lights, may be used to showcase the inventive charm's magic, goodwill, and promise. Survey results demonstrate that those who have not previously seen the inventive charm universally agree that the inventive charm is considered stunningly beautiful and worthy of being coveted.

Incidentally, the inventive charm may be incorporated in all sorts of couture or wearable accessories, in addition to serving as purely ornamental jewelry. For example, the inventive charm may be used as a means for providing modesty, e.g., to cover up a human navel, when used as naval piercing jewelry. Apparently, producers at one point would not allow Barbara Eden to show her navel playing the part of Jeannie in the television situation comedy “I Dream of Jeannie.” Thus, consistent with the dictates of couture, e.g., haute couture, the invention is substantially nonvulgar in nature.

Similarly, the inventive charm may have utilitarian functionality as well. For example, cufflinks, tie pins, tie clips, studs, belt buckles may incorporate the inventive charm. Similarly, studs for buttoning together portions of shirts suitable for morning-coat, white-tie or black-tie events may also incorporate the use of the inventive charm. The invention may also find use as bolos, aglets, etc.

When the inventive charm is provided singly or in pairs, symmetry considerations may be at play. For example, the inventive charms may generally exhibit bilateral and/or mirror symmetry when occurring in pairs. This means, of course, that the inventive charm(s) may exhibit handedness. Left-handed individuals may prefer left-handed lucky charms, and right-handed individual lucky charms. To mix things up, a single individual may wear a left-handed lucky charm as an earring in his/her right car while wearing a right-handed charm as a ring on his/her left ring finger. The invention is good for transgender individuals as well.

FIG. 5 shows how a Japanese coin having a through hole may be used to form a part of the charm of the invention. FIG. 5A shows the front face of the coin. FIG. 5B. shows the back face of the coin. Because coin 3 has a through hole 19, it is possible to embed a gem like a diamond therein. Such a gem would have intrinsic value to back the charm's ability to provide a sense of magic, goodwill and/or promise. In other words, a charm associated with the coin of FIG. 5 may serve as tangible consideration in legal contractual matters around the world.

FIG. 6 shows how a Euro coin having a bicolored native state may be used to form a part of the charm of the invention. FIG. 6A shows the front face of the coin. FIG. 6B shows the back face of the coin. When coated with a material such as gold, silver, platinum, and/or rhodium, the native color of the Euro coin would be altered. That is, the native bicolored state of the coin could become a single-colored state, a tri-colored state, an iridescent state, or other aesthetically changed state in appearance. In turn, the charm of the invention employing a Euro coin would become increasingly “lucky” or “luckier” as generally defined in the specification herein.

Special editions of the invention may be provided as well. Special editions may employ, for example, specifically ordered coins, e.g., the Sacagawea and Maria Tallchief, front- and back-faced, respectively, dollar coin having a minting date of 2023, from the US Mint. Unlike many US coins having a heads side associated with a deceased male US president, the Sacagawea (as well as the Susan B Anthony) dollar has a clearly female or feminine vibe. See www.usmint.gov/coins/coin-medal-programs/native-american-dollar-coins/2023-maria-tallchief. Even dollar coins of dead presidents may have a reverse face showing the statue of liberty, which is female in gender. Thus, for those believing in female luck, a female face of the coin may be more prominently displayed. The invention is also good for male luck.

Sometimes, a coin may have two “heads” sides. For example, a Susan B. Anthony dollar coin of a 1999 minting year may depict Susan's head on a first side and an eagle, which also has a head, on the other side.

The native color of coins suitable for use with the invention, e.g., recent dollar coins having a color believed to be associated with manganese brass, may be altered by depositing a silvery or an actual elemental gold coating thereon. Such a coating would neutralize the unlucky aspect of the coin, because the US mint sets forth the composition of the newest dollar coin as follows: 88.5% Cu, 6% Zn, 3.5% Mn, and 2% Ni. That is, copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni) can be problematic from an allergenic sense. Some people may also be allergic/oversensitive to Zn and Mn. Thus, the inventive should have no more than trivial amounts of non-hypoallergenic surface materials. That is, the exterior of the charm of the invention should consist of or consist essentially of undesirable materials such as non-hypoallergenic or harmful chemicals. For those individuals who are allergic to pure gold, the exterior of the charm my consist essentially of an alloy of gold that is experimentally verified to be hypoallergenic.

In addition, brass typically tarnishes over time, whereas gold typically does not. In view of the above disclosure, then, the gender(s), nationality (or nationalities) and/or race(s) of the inventive charms may be selectable and customizable. The invention is good for both boys and girls (and others) of all ages. The invention may use standard sized coins such as US pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, half-dollars, and/or dollars, non-US equivalents thereof, and standard or nonstandard variations thereof, and have inventive holders sized accordingly.

There are locational and jurisdictional aspects of the invention as well that act with synergy. In some instances, the invention may work better when the coin of the charm is originally coined at the same jurisdiction where the charm is located. For example, the invention is particularly lucky, e.g., is particularly effective in providing a sense of magic, goodwill and promise, when an American coin forms a part of a lucky charm that is physically located within the United States of America. Similarly, a European coin may work better in Europe, and an Australian coin may work better in Australia. In other instances, the invention may be viewed as lucky when the coin of the charm is originally coined in a different jurisdiction where the charm is physically located. Thus, for example, the invention may exhibit the luck of the Irish and may be particularly effective in providing a sense of magic, goodwill, and promise when an Irish coin forms a part of a lucky charm that is physically located in the United States of America.

Variations of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the disclosure contained herein. For example, the invention may be constructed to contain or exclude specific features according to the intended use of the invention. In some cases, the invention may be free from visible solder and/or welding marks. In addition, the coin and/or holder may be engraved to set forth a message of goodwill, luck, and fortune. The invention may also serve as a talisman of spirituality, faith, goodness, and infinite customization, as the lucky penny form of the invention may exhibit the words “In God We Trust.”

Similarly, the invention may provide embodiments that are personalized to individual tastes and notions of magic, goodwill and/or promise. For example, the invention may be practiced such that charms are made in a manner such that they are “limited” editions. For example, the charms may be sequentially numbered according to the order they are made so that customers can order specific numbered charms that they associate with magic, goodwill and/or promise. For example, the number one is a unique number in that many people think are considered prime, mathematically; however, one is not a prime number. Similarly, six and twenty-eight are both mathematically perfect (and magical) numbers. Techniques associated with personalized numerology may be at play with the present invention.

Thus, it should be apparent that many magical and lucky numbered embodiments of the invention may be manufactured on a large scale, while preserving luxury aspects of the invention in terms of being able to provide a sense of exclusivity. That is, the invention may exhibit the properties of exclusivity, e.g., associated with one or more limited editions of works of fine art. Magically, both odd and even numbers may be expressions of goodwill, promise, and luxury.

In addition, expressions of magic, goodwill, and/or promise could be amplified further with sports, e.g., team sports, like football, baseball, and basketball. For example, fans of the San Francisco Forty Niners football team may use versions of the invention corresponding to the color scheme (electronic or otherwise) associated with the following table:

TABLE II
Color	RGB Color	CMYK Color	Pantone Color	HEX Color
Name	Code	Code	Code	Code
49ers Red	170, 0, 0	7, 100, 82, 26	PMS 187 C	#AA0000
Gold	173, 153, 93	0, 25, 56, 51	PMS 872 C	#B3995D

Fans of the Oakland Athletics may use the color scheme (or approximations thereof) associated with the following specifications in the context of the invention:

• • Sacramento State Green—Hex: #003831, RGB: (0, 56, 49), CMYK: (1,0,0.125,0.780)
  • White—Hex: #FFFFFF, RGB: (255, 255, 255), CMYK: (0,0,0,0)
  • Orange-Yellow—Hex: #EFB21E, RGB: (239, 178, 30), CMYK: (0,0.255,0.874,0.062)

Fans of the Golden State Warriors may use the color scheme (or substantial equivalents thereof) associated with the following in the context of the invention:

• • Warriors Blue—HEX COLOR: #1d428a, RGB: (29,66, 138), CMYK: (100,78,0,18)
  • Golden Yellow—HEX COLOR: #ffc72c, RGB: (255,199,44), CMYK: (0,19,89,0)

It is to be understood that, while the invention has been described in conjunction with the preferred specific embodiments thereof, the foregoing description merely illustrates and does not limit the scope of the invention. Numerous alternatives and equivalents exist which do not depart from the invention set forth above.

For example, any embodiment of the invention, e.g., those depicted in any drawing herein, may be modified to include or exclude features of other embodiments. Wearable items of apparel such as belts, purses, backpacks, suitcases, ties, wallets, and the like are too envisioned by the inventors to accompany the physical manifestations of the invention. That is, the invention may include beautified coin charms in physical contact or proximity of leather goods, such as purses and crystal straps/belts. Wallets may be associated with brands and trademarks behind the charms. The different variations of the invention may come with different story books associated therewith. Alternatively, one story book may be provided with each charm. Different aspects of the invention described above synergistically operate to bring forth an enhanced sense of luck, collectability, goodwill, promise, and/or magic, e.g., through tangible and/or intangible means.

The invention may involve trade dress issues as well, when the charm is associated with other items of commerce, e.g., fungible items sold in intrastate, interstate, and/or international commerce. Commerce wise, profits typically represent good luck. Losses typically represent bad luck.

Notably, the invention may be used as an indicator of source, like a charm that also serves as a tangible item having trademark/service mark properties. Thus, the invention also encompasses a item in physical proximity to a coin that embodies legal tender currency of a member nation of the United Nations, the coin having a native color, wherein the coin represents a lucky tangible means effective for providing a sense of magic, goodwill and/or promise, and further wherein the presence of the coin (held by an optional holder an orientation and/or manner that may lead others to misidentify the source or manufacture of the item. That is, the invention may also serve as a potential anticounterfeiting/anti-knockoff/trade dress rights enforcing means.

It should also be noted that colors associated with the invention may also represent variations of the invention. As discussed above, the invention is associated with “magic, goodwill and/or promise.” The colors black and orange are typically associated with Hallowe'en. It is well known that the term Hallowe'en is derived from the term “hallowed evening” and that Hallowe'en occurs on October 31 of every year. Interestingly, All Saints Day occurs on November 1 of each year. Thus, the invention may take advantage of the goodwill associated with these holy days/holidays.

For example, the invention may be formed using a coating on copper pennies that protects the copper from tarnishing. Copper has a generally orangish hue. In addition, the holder may be coated with a black colored material, e.g., spinel gems. When orange-colored crystals and/or gems are immobilized to the charms of the invention, the resulting black and orange charms nonobviously become tokens that celebrate the “magic, goodwill and/or promise” associated with Hallowe'en and All Saints Day.

Similarly, there is a song performed by Burl Ives that includes the following lyrics: “Silver and gold; Silver and gold; Everyone wishes for silver and gold; How do you measure its worth, just by the pleasure it gives here on Earth?” The song is a celebration of Christmas. Given that traditional Christmas colors also include red and green, the invention encompasses charms coated with silver and/or gold with immobilized red and green gems and/or crystals. Such charms celebrate the birth of a man named Jesus circa the years 6 to 4 BCE. The birthday of Jesus is full of “magic, goodwill and/or promise.”

Furthermore, red, the color, is considered a festive color in Chinese culture. Red is prominently employed during lunar new year, and during the holiday associated with lantern festivals. Festivals based on lunar calendars are strongly associated with “magic, goodwill, and/or promise.”

Also, the colors white, blue, and optionally yellow may be associated with an honorific form of tribute in Chinese culture. For example, white, the color, is associated with the transformational magic of the inevitable passing of human life, and there is a white memorial building in Taipei, Taiwan honoring Chiang Kai Shek, whose roof is blue. Yellow is also another prominent color found on the grounds of the building, i.e., at the top of the Jiang Jieshi (another name of Chiang Kai Shek) memorial building. Incidentally, white is the color of the Lincoln Memorial in the District of Columbia (expensive real estate) in United States.

Pink is the color associated with the birth of girls in the United States. Thus, pink is highly associated with the magic, goodwill, and promise of a live female girl's birth.

Ireland and Brazil have green in their national flags. Thus, green is associated with magic, goodwill, and promise of these fine nations.

Green and gold are colors of the University of San Francisco. While San Francisco is a major city in California, San Francisco is named after Saint Francis of Assisi, who is the patron saint of animals. Thus, green and gold is full of magic, goodwill, and promise of education, California, and animals in general.

Interestingly, the color gold is often rendered as yellow, on computers and other electronic means. Thus, when the invention takes the form of a charm having yellow crystals immobilized in a generally in circular array around the outer edge thereof (with an additional crystal on the center of the holder on the back surface of the holder), yellow also imbues the inventive charm with a sense of magic, goodwill, and/or promise.

As alluded to above, purple (violet) are colors of royalty in many jurisdictions and times. St. Edward's Crown is the centerpiece of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom, and the Crown is primarily purple in color. The King of England is apparently the head of the Anglican Church (Church of England), whose American counterpart is the Episcopalian Church.

Similarly, purple has long been associated with royalty, originally because Tyrian purple dyc, made from the secretions of sea snails, was extremely expensive in antiquity. Purple was the color worn by Roman magistrates; it became the imperial color worn by the rulers of the Byzantine Empire and the Holy Roman Empire, and later by Roman Catholic bishops. Similarly in Japan, the color is traditionally associated with the emperor and aristocracy. Thus, purple, as a color, is known to provide a sense of “magic, goodwill, and promise.”

Thus, colors or materials of the invention may be keyed to the precise materials used in physical embodiments of the invention. For example, Tahitian pearls are often associated with a gray/black form of nacre, but saltwater and freshwater pearls from China may exhibit one or more colors such as white, black, pink, silver, gold, etc. Incidentally, the invention may employ materials such as mother-of-pearl from mollusks like oysters, mussels, and/or abalone. Artificial and/or synthetic nacre may be used with the invention as well.

In any case, the invention does not claim any mythology associated with religion, but the invention truly is a universal tangible means to provide a sense of magic, goodwill, and/or promise. Definitiveness and enablement of the invention will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art upon inspection of the written description of the specification herewith.

Thus, the invention may incorporate philosophical but tangible, calculable, and cyclic aspects of both Western and Eastern astrology and depictions and/or images thereof. For example, the year 2023 in lunar calendar can be either the year of the tiger or the year of the rabbit. Thus, invention may celebrate the qualities of both tigers and rabbits. Western astrology is associated with the following astrological signs: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. Animals associated with Eastern astrology are the rat, buffalo, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake (little dragon), horse, goat, money, chicken, dog, and pig.

In addition, structural aspects of the invention associated with the term “magic, goodwill, and/or promise” will be apparent upon visual, tactical, photonic and/or atomic analysis of the inventive charm. For example, portions of the inventive charm may exhibit a mirror-like smooth finish to reflect light in an aesthetically pleasing manner. In addition, or in the alternative, portions and/or the whole of the inventive charm may exhibit a matte finish. The precise finish(s) of the inventive charm and how well they provide “luckiness” is determinable though routine experimentation by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Such experimentation may be carried out by flipping the charm of the invention multiple times and counting how many times the front side of the charm faces upward versus how many times the back side of the charm faces downwards. The invention may also involve the power of personalty and/or personality as well as the power of celebration and/or celebrity. Individual names, nick names, and/or initials, dates like birthdays, etc. may be used with the invention as well, e.g., in a commemorative and lucky manner.

In addition, it is possible to carry out routine experimentation by having a plurality of individuals wear and/or carry the inventive charm, provided as gifts, and see how their daily lives are affected. Typically, individuals who have received the inventive charm as gifts are appreciative of how lucky they feel and of how “fancy” they feel when provided with a sense of luxury associated with the aesthetic beauty of the invention. Thus, the invention provides a sense of “magic, goodwill, and promise” in many, if not infinite, variations of instances, ascertainable upon inspection of the disclosure provided herein. Certainly, for sellers of embodiments of the invention, there is always a sense of magic, goodwill, and promise provided to the sellers with each sale.

Workmanship and quality issues may also affect the luckiness of the invention in terms of durability. For example, as discussed above, the invention may be placed in contact with human skin or other tissue for an extended time, e.g., as a pendant or other form of jewelry. Thus, the inventive charm should have an exterior coating that should provide its maker the ability to make warrantees and/or guarantees of workmanship so that users of the invention may have an actionable remedy in case something goes wrong in manufacturing steps. That is, the exterior coating(s) should be of one or more qualities and thicknesses such that, under ordinary use conditions, the coating(s) will not exhibit any substantial signs of wear, e.g., within one year.

Thus, ordinary use conditions, for charms in the form of pendants hung around a user's neck with a chain of a different metal, include, for example, dry, moist, and wet conditions. Human skin is most comfortable when it is dry and clean. However, human sweat is known to consist essentially of water and sodium chloride (salt). Salt water may be considered corrosive in nature. Thus, the inventive charm should be sold in a form that minimizes the odds of unacceptable wear in terms of corrosivity, chemically, electrochemically, or otherwise. At a minimum, user(s) should not be worried about wearing the inventive charm on a chain while bathing himself, herself, or themselves. The same workmanship issues apply to other forms of the inventive charm, e.g., in the form of pierced earring. Four-, five-, or six-sigma manufacturing defect-free practices may be employed in the formation of the inventive charm.

Persons of ordinary skill will recognize that six sigma (66) is a set of techniques and tools for process improvement. Four-, five-, or six-sigma (or in a pinch, about 2 to about 3 or 4 sigma, wherein 1 sigma equals about 68%, 2 sigma equals about 95%, 3 sigma equals about 99.7%, 4 sigma equals about 99.99%) manufacturing defect-free practices may be employed in the formation of the inventive charm. Persons of ordinary skill will recognize that six sigma (66) is a set of techniques and tools for process improvement. In some instances, persons of ordinary skill will recognize that the precise sigma designation is not as important as the order of magnitude signified thereby.

In addition, the invention may possess a permanence that enhances the magic, goodwill, and promise of the invention. For example, the invention may be accompanied by an optionally uniquely numbered certificate of authenticity. The certificate may be provided in a tangible form, e.g., as printed matter on paper and/or be provided in electronic format. Thus, each physical embodiment of the invention may be associated with an optionally unique nonfungible token (NFT). Such NFTs may contribute to the overall value and permanence of any purchased or legally gifted charms.

Similarly, the invention may employ micro engraving technologies that effectively label one or more components of physical embodiments of the invention. For example, uniquely microengraved gems, pennies, and/or holders of the invention may tie physical embodiments of the invention to NFTs. In turn, stolen charms of the invention may be identified and returned to their proper owners. Thus, the invention also provides an effective and karmically enhanced self-enforcing justice means to deter and punish thievery. In other words, the invention may be used to bring bad luck to thieves.

In particular, the invention may be synergistically used in conjunction with cryptocurrency and other forms of digital currency and or securities that are primarily managed, stored or exchanged on digital computer systems, especially over the internet. Cryptocurrency is designed to work as a medium of exchange through a computer network that is not reliant on any central authority, such as a government or bank, to uphold or maintain it. It is a decentralized system for verifying that the parties to a transaction have the money they claim to have, eliminating the need for traditional intermediaries, such as banks, when funds are being transferred between two entities.

Cryptocurrency coin ownership records are stored in a digital ledger, which is a computerized database using strong cryptography to secure transaction records, control the creation of additional coins, and verify the transfer of coin ownership. Despite their name, cryptocurrencies are not considered to be pure currencies in the traditional sense, and while varying treatments have been applied to them, including classification as commodities, securities, and currencies, cryptocurrencies are generally viewed as a distinct asset class in practice. Some crypto schemes use validators to maintain the cryptocurrency. In a proof-of-stake model, owners put up their tokens as collateral. In return, they get authority over the token in proportion to the amount they stake. Generally, these token stakers get additional ownership in the token over time via network fees, newly minted tokens, or other such reward mechanisms.

Cryptocurrency does not exist in physical form (like paper money) and is typically not issued by a central authority. Cryptocurrencies typically use decentralized control as opposed to a central bank digital currency (CBDC). When a cryptocurrency is minted, or created prior to issuance, or issued by a single issuer, it is generally considered centralized. When implemented with decentralized control, each cryptocurrency works through distributed ledger technology, typically a blockchain, that serves as a public financial transaction database. Traditional asset classes like currencies, commodities, and stocks, as well as macroeconomic factors, have modest exposures to cryptocurrency returns.

One example of a decentralized cryptocurrency is Bitcoin, which was first released as open-source software in 2009. As of March 2022, there were more than 9,000 other cryptocurrencies in the marketplace, of which more than 70 had a market capitalization exceeding $1 billion. As an example of cryptocurrency disclosure, see PCT/US2019/038084 entitled “Cryptocurrency system using body activity data.”

Given that the invention may be used with one or both of NFT technology as well as cryptocurrency, the invention provides a nonobvious lucky means to extend the magically transformative aspect of the invention in terms of monetary value and associated electronic permanence. That is, NFT and cryptocurrency may allow at least portions of the invention to live on indefinitely in cyberspace as matter of electronic and monetary value.

Finally, in a pinch, the inventive charm may still be used as cash, because the coin associated with the invention may still be visually and otherwise recognizable of legal tender (rather than of pure commemoration). That is, the inventive charm is a tangible form of an item that exhibits the universality of magic, goodwill, and promise associated with the full faith and credit of the government backing the coin of inventive charm. Thus, the invention in all objective measures, have been described herein in a manner herein that renders the invention, useful, novel, nonobvious, definite, and enabled in a descriptively written manner with an eye toward greater elegance, less expense, and haute couture simplicity in a timeless, timely, and time-filled manner. Sometimes, the invention may be of substantially pure commemoration rather than remain functional as cash. Thus, the invention may employ coins from governmental mints that are not intended to serve as legal tender, e.g., coins of Au, Ag, and other metals.

Luck and luckiness may be tied to the value of the coating. Thus, in order of raw material costs as of about 2023 or 2024), the following is a listing of precious metals (and their general commodity pricing) that may be used to provide luck in increasing intensity: silver ($23/oz), platinum ($1000/oz), palladium ($1200/oz), gold ($2000/oz), iridium, ($5000), rhodium (>$10,000/oz), etc. In particular, “sterling” Ag about 92.5% elemental silver, is an economical metal composition for providing luck. When more than one metal is used, their precise contribution to luckiness may be determined experimentally. Density and other materials considerations may determine suitability/luckiness of materials for the invention.

In any case, the invention should appeal to numismatists everywhere, particularly those interested in charms. The invention may take the form of different collections over time. That is, the collections of the invention may include different coins of same or different currencies around the world, e.g., optionally with different minting dates. The invention may or may not be commemorative in nature. In some cases, the invention may commemorate certain events, e.g., births, birthdays, baptisms, confirmations, bar/bat mitzvahs, quinceñeras, graduations, engagements, weddings, anniversaries, other time/location, etc., through words, images, symbols, designs, logos, and/or combinations thereof. National and/or personal slogans may be used as well. In other words, the invention may serve as a talisman of credible legal luck, whether provided as a charm or in another form. Such talisman may be fungible (in case of mass manufacture), partially fungible (in case of mass manufacture with uniquely associated identifiers, e.g., associated with NFTs, memecoins or other items of electronic permanence) or nonfungible (in case of handmade items that exhibit unique qualities associated with the talisman's properties, e.g., with micro-engraved diamonds rather than glass embellishments).

Similarly, the invention may be of a legacy, present, and/or forward looking manner. For example, legacy coins from having a coinage date/year of the past may be used to form the invention. In addition, coins, newly minted, may be used in conjunction with the invention. In some instances, the invention may be coordinated with one more future and/or planned minting runs/strikes of coins by national mints around the world, e.g., in countries like the United State and/or Canada in North America, Argentina and/or Brazil of South America, China and/or Japan of Asia, United Kingdom and/or Germany of Europe, Egypt and/or South Africa of Africa, and/or Australia and/or nearby islands like New Zealand. In fact, the all four hemispheres of the world may be covered by using coins from the United States, northern and western hemispheres, and from Australia, southern and eastern hemispheres, in a manner that allows for geographic luckiness to be provided in a manner that allows for the generation of human physiologic responses associated with magic, goodwill, and/or promise, e.g., in a hypoallergenic manner and/or in a manner suitable for detection and/or practice of electronic permanence, as discussed above. Thus, the invention also represents a means for providing luck that also incorporates whole or in part government provided, commissioned, and/or endorsed art.

Other aspects, advantages, and modifications within the scope of the invention will also be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.