Monday, June 20, 2011

World's First Coins With QR Codes Will Start Circulating Next Week

For those of you that aren't hip to QR code, it is a specific barcode that is readable by dedicated QR barcode readers and camera cellphones. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded may be text, URL, or other data.

You will eventually see them everywhere. Putting them on a coin, as Netherlands is going to do, is somewhat gimmicky.

The coins from Netherlands will be available starting June 22, in both silver (5€ ) and gold (10€). Right now the code resolves as http://www.q5g.nl/, which takes you to a Dutch Ministry of Finance finance page, but after June 22 will link to a “surprise.”

(ViaPopsci)






at 11:36:00 AM

1 comment:

  1. AnonymousJune 20, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    Bob,
    I’ve seen your posts on QR codes. It’s interesting to see this experiment with QR codes on a coin. I wonder if the technology that reads the codes will be able to process the image? The reflective nature of a metal coin will cause glare. Also, I’m not sure if the contrast between dark and light will be sufficiently distinguishable. Finally, the ability to zoom in on just the QR code will impact readability of the image. The designs on either side in the picture you posted could easily be captured in the picture, causing the reader to confuse those with the actual QR code itself.

    Changing topics just a bit… Thanks for your info on the QR codes here in your blog over the past several weeks. Last night I ordered a set of business cards, and I put all the contact info into a QR code that will be on the back of my cards.
    Cheers!

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