Fool's Gold

So, it looks like Forrest is being playful by having Shiloh list a stack o'money on eBay. The money is a "puzzle" of 247 pieces. Some things in his description don't add up.

This is what $1300 looks like after being chewed up by our adorable little dog. (RIP)

Most of the pieces were scattered about the floor, maybe 10, were swallowed by the poor creature and came out the other end. Guess who got to clean them up? Those scraps survived copious cyclings in our washing machine, and were personally ironed by me.  

There are about twelve, $100 bills and two $50s, as I recall. My granddaughter taped six pieces together but soon rolled her eyes and fled the scene. All the parts are here, 247 of them. A person would have to be crazy to want this stuff. 

The Bureau of Printing and Engraving will replace the bills if “Clearly more than 50 percent of a note identifiable as United States currency is present, along with sufficient remnants of any relevant security feature and clearly more than one-half of the original note remains.” 

Here's what Forrest said about it on Dal's blog:

That Ziploc of torn up money has been in my desk and forgotten for maybe eight years. I figured that since it’s so cold outside, and people are getting tired of playing Canasta, I’d offer a distraction. The hardest part will be devising a system to put the pieces back together. It was not easy for me but I was never accused of being patient. If the sale makes a profit it will all go to charity. f

I think the description is more of a puzzle than putting together the pieces will be.  Why are there the oddly placed commas that make what exactly he's talking about ambiguous? There are about twelve...what? There's a comma after twelve...we assume it's twelve one hundred dollar bills, but could it be there are twelve instances of the number 100 and two of the number 50 (it's interesting to note you can see only two 50's in the pic, and only about twelve 100's)?  And the second sentence doesn't make much sense to me, either. Were the pieces on the floor before or after the dog chewed them up?

And I think (but am not sure), that the money is worthless. I think one-half of the ORIGINAL NOTE means "unshredded." However, I just checked the Bureau of Printing and Engraving's website, and they aren't exactly crystal clear in their explanation, either. It appears that the money "may" be redeemable, but you have to rely upon a government "team of experts" to determine whether you'll get your money back or not. Maybe that's why FF said you'd have to be crazy to want it.

"Free Public Service

• Clearly more than 50 percent of a note identifiable as United States currency is present, along with sufficient remnants of any relevant security feature and clearly more than one-half of the original note remains; or,

• Fifty percent or less of a note identifiable as United States currency is present and the method of mutilation and supporting evidence demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Treasury that the missing portions have been totally destroyed. 

Every year the Treasury Department handles approximately 30,000 claims and redeems mutilated currency valued at over $30 million. Your money is important. However, please know that heavy volume and the precise nature of the work may result in lengthy wait times. Please follow the submission instructions carefully to help us process your claim in the most efficient manner.

Recommended Packing Procedures:

• Regardless of the condition of the currency, do not disturb the fragments any more than absolutely necessary.

• If the currency is brittle or inclined to fall apart, pack it carefully in plastic and cotton without disturbing the fragments and place the package in a secure container.

• If the currency was mutilated in a purse, box, or other container, it should be left in the container to protect the fragments from further damage.

• If it is absolutely necessary to remove the fragments from the container, send the container along with the currency and any other contents that may have currency fragments attached.

         If the currency was flat when mutilated, do not roll, fold, laminate, tape, glue or in any other way

         alter the currency in an attempt to preserve it."

To me, it sounds like you'd just take the pile of money, send it to them, and wait five years while they sort it out. I'm not sure if taping the money invalidates it or not, but their "team of experts" will surely decide for you. 

However, I'm pretty sure the value of the money is not the main motivation for bidding on this item. It's Forrest's, been pooped out by his beloved Bip (guessing), and the profit goes to charity. So, basically a novelty packaged as a challenge, with the profits going to a good cause. 

Well played, Forrest! I wouldn't be surprised if the item sells for much more than it's actually worth, and hopefully it'll serve as a distraction from solving the poem for that "lucky" winner. Lol.

I see the bids are already over $900. I just have to giggle because it's so funny. But I hope it makes a good profit, for charity.