Q & A

Materials & Process

Are you works really made of money?

Every one. 100% real international banknotes are used in creating these currency collages. Can even use yours! Keep reading…

Is this legal?

Yes! Altered currency used for art is perfectly legal in the U.S. (for now) and many other countries.

Are these originals or prints?

Each artwork on this site is a one of one, handmade original. Available prints are clearly designated as such, with optional hand embellishment and framing offered.

Will an original ever be made again?

The beauty in attempting precise replication of any artwork here is that each bill comes uniquely worn, with its own silent story traversing and transacting the globe. With just a single component, you can have one example crispy, cold, and sterile with another worn with creases, crimples, and love. Even editions and series of my artworks carry unique attributes.

Absolutely no two original artworks will ever be exactly the same. A uniquely beautiful scarcity.

Investment Experience

What’s included when investing in an original artwork?

Each artwork comes backed to archival paper, professionally matted to fit each artwork, signed/embellished (in banknotes of course), and framed in a black Blick Gallery Frame. The artwork will also come with a COA and informational card. Domestic shipping with insurance is included, international shipping is available to most countries with fee based on weight.

You mentioned embellishment?

Yes! I truly believe that investing in an original artwork is an extension of an acquisition. It is a mutual partnership. When investing in any of my artworks, I hope it is done with the intent that it brings joy, love, curiousness, truly any number of things. Whatever is brought to you, I hope it is brought boundlessly.

With the mutual honor in an acquisition of an original, I include, free of charge at the collector’s request, a hand finished embellishment of your initials/signature/etc. at the bottom:

“BP 4 your initials”

“FOR: your initials”

I can accommodate occasional names, but due to size ask that embellishment considerations be limited to 3 alphanumerical characters. If you would like a specific symbol/animal/etc., I’m always thrilled to open up a transparent conversation around customizations and costs.

If you wish not to have your artwork initialed/embellished, I take zero offense. I understand preferences vary, and am here to do whatever it is you’d like to maximize your enjoyment and experience.

Do you take commissions?

Currently, I am selectively inviting intentional commission ideas. Not selective in the collage admissions sense, but the, “do I have the time and technical confidence to produce what is being asked”, sense. Commission pricing will be discussed transparently with as many estimates/mock ups needed. Don’t ever feel like a conversation entitles me to your business, I get value from simply hearing what others may want to see made, and will never pressure you. Pricing will be dependent and not limited to scope, timeline, bills used, and concept.

Truly excited to hear what ideas you all would like to bring to life.

I have a bunch of bills, can I send you them?

Surely! I’ve already done commissioned work with banknotes from a collector’s travels. Want me to make something out of your banknotes? Happy to open up a dialogue and hear what you’d like. Wish to simply send me some old banknotes you’ve stared at in your dusty junk drawer? I am infinitely appreciative of the unique ways in which I’m continually shown support. As so many people ask, here I offer my own personal address should you feel a compulsion to send me some fan mail. I would refrain from showing up unannounced, as I’m more than happy to offer studio tours upon request.

Mailing Address:

Benjamin Paseltiner

1016 Gant Hill Drive Apt 301

Brentwood TN, 37027

Pricing Philosophy

How do you price your artworks?

Like a corporate whitepaper articulating a company’s value proposition, this is a tough quesiton for any artist. The true answer is longer winded and based in years of study and research in niche asset classes, IP within mediums, and global supply chains. The short answer comes down to time, as time is every human’s truest transactional currency alongside Love. Just as each artwork invokes questions to the observer, such does the price.

How much of my time is worth how much of yours?

This is the question I ask myself numerous times when pricing an artwork, with continuously conflicting inner thoughts. It’s still a tough one to answer. I would like to believe each one of us brings a uniquely infinite worth, an unquantifiable fiat number. In reality, each one of us brings in a different amount of capital per labor hour. I would like to think the price at which I value mine is one that I would be happy, willing, and honored to pay in an even exchange of transaction. When an artwork takes a day, a week, or three months to assemble, I must also factor time spent sourcing banknotes, planning designs, taping mockups, making social media content, the physical strain on my shoulders, and ultimately cleaning, framing, matting, and preparing artworks for their final homes. And so much more…

Are prices negotiable?

To an extent, absolutely. There are always pieces I may have in my studio which I’ve forgotten, haven’t hung, barely posted, or would rather invest in the furthering of my portfolio. With a professional certification in negotiation, I ask for a single professional courtesy with regards to offers:

Best and final, first. Please show transparent candor behind your offer.

Feel I may have mispriced an artwork?

If you would like to acquire an artwork, and believe I have priced the artwork too high, let me know. I’d be honored to consider an offer that reflects your honest and fair valuation.

I do try and price my works to the lowest amount I would remake it for. If you have a reason with which you feel a compulsion to collect a certain piece, I want to hear why! Please give my a reason to make an equitable exchange, whether it’s fresh steaks, bullion, or good old banknotes.

Shipping & Logistics

Where do you ship?

Anywhere with a valid address, I prefer to verify international address with google maps. Insured domestic shipping is included with any original, with international shipping fees dependent on weight, protection, and necessary insurances. Please reach out for any import fees/questions/information, and customs specifics. I am well versed in international shipping law, freight brokerage, 3PL services, INCO terms, contract negotiation, and logistics.‍ ‍

Display & Care

Any tips for display?

I use velcro hanging strips to semi-permanently fasten my works on walls, this allows me to move works around when I want a change of scenery or rotate artworks. The frames I use are consistent in size, allowing for this modulation. It is recommended that works be displayed away from direct sunlight, as banknotes themselves fade and degrade with exposure. UV glass is available and recommended for artworks intended to be displayed in sunlight. While a UV resistant adhesive is used, long term exposure to sunlight will degrade the adhesive attachment of your arwork’s components (in addition to the banknotes themselves). Each original artwork comes with a lifetime guarantee should the adhesion fail in any manner, insured shipping being the only charge I ask be covered.

What if a piece falls off or my work arrives damaged?

Good thing I offer a lifetime guarantee to the quality of my artworks! In the unlikely event an artwork arrives with its base detached, a component fallen off, or loose, or your artwork arrives in poor condition, I am happy to offer my restorative services at my compliments. Please take videos of your package and artwork so I can learn and improve for others, and email them directly. Expect a response within 2 business days of an email sent.

How do the artworks age over time?

As I use only real banknotes, expect real aging patina in your original artworks. Though a lot of my banknotes are uncirculated, many shine bright with many miles of travel and hands of exchange. Exacerbated fading risk is mitigated with adhesives used, and avoidance of direct sunlight or UV exposure. Like us humans, aging is but a beautiful privilege of our stories, not a flaw.

OH NO! I broke my artwork!

Accidents happen! Breath, it is just a thing :)

Depending on the damage, I may offer to repair the work, or remake it. These will come at a cost transparently communicated to the collector, with open dialogue for discussion of estimates. The cost to remake an artwork will never exceed the original cost of the artwork, with adjustments to inflation/shipping/imports. Please expect repairs and remakes to take 2 to 4 weeks depending on complexity and availability.

Do you take refunds or returns?

By nature of the personalization of embellishments, in most cases no, original sales are final. Like any investment, I want you to take your time and due diligence in considering any acquisitions. It is of mutual disservice to have invested in something without full confidence and clearly owned intention. I truly want you to invest in something that bring you value, however that be defined by you.