# The copy-box **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 1, 2012, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-copy-box/636376 "2012-10-01T11:26:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-copy-box/636376/21 "2012-10-01T21:26:20Z")
I would corner the market in Rare Earth Metals. ---
**Author:** ![Bootis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@Bootis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootis)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-copy-box/636376/22 "2012-10-01T21:39:22Z")
I was going to say, why even bother with gold when you can just easily generate ~100k in cash/minute, which you can deposit right into a bank account- but then I realized: the bills are identical, including the serial number! To all who ever have such a box, please remember this, because you will surely get caught if you don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-copy-box/636376/23 "2012-10-01T23:23:18Z")
> [@Bootis](#): > > I was going to say, why even bother with gold when you can just easily generate ~100k in cash/minute, which you can deposit right into a bank account- but then I realized: the bills are identical, including the serial number! To all who ever have such a box, please remember this, because you will surely get caught if you don’t. That was fixed in the upgrade, Box 1.2. There is a “random bill number option.” Be sure to check it before closing the lid. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-copy-box/636376/24 "2012-10-02T02:26:05Z")
> [@Bibliovore](#): > > Sure, copying money or gold will make you rich, but as the box is so small, it would time a long time. Is there a faster way? I would simply copy a billion dollar bill. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-copy-box/636376/25 "2012-10-02T04:51:04Z")
Some good ideas except for the spices/batteries/other perishables. Remember that you’re making perfect duplicates. Therefore, as the original ages, so does the copy. You’ll have to renew your source from time to time. No real problem with the money you’ve saved in the meantime. Just sayin. Now assuming that I’m the only one with a copy box I’ll make a few hundred pounds of gold and cast my own bars to eliminate the possibility of someone noticing that there are two or more identical pieces. Sell off 20 or 30 thousand dollars worth and take up going to storage unit auctions as a hobby. After a year or so I’ll get really lucky in one of my acquisitions and retire. ---
**Author:** ![Corcaigh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Corcaigh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corcaigh)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-copy-box/636376/26 "2012-10-02T11:20:42Z")
> [@Bibliovore](#): > > This is based on an idea for a story I’ve had recently, but imagine a plain wooden box which is 10cm x 10cm x 10cm. Given the dimensions of the box are pretty small, I’m not sure what I’d use it for. Maybe get umpteen pairs of specs, then when I loose a pair I’d have plenty of spares! Tissues, notepaper, toilet paper… You could duplicate coins since they don’t have serial numbers (or do they?) but bank notes would be a no no, you’d only end up with dozens of 50s all with the same serial number on them. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-copy-box/636376/27 "2012-10-02T11:53:37Z")
> [@Corcaigh](#): > > You could duplicate coins since they don’t have serial numbers (or do they?) but bank notes would be a no no, you’d only end up with dozens of 50s all with the same serial number on them. Just don’t spend two of them in the same place. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-copy-box/636376/28 "2012-10-02T12:11:39Z")
> [@Bibliovore](#): > > How would you go about selling loads and loads of perfect diamonds without arousing suspicion? > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Perfect diamonds aren’t some sort of fanciful, impossible possibility. They already exist today. Ever heard of a flawless diamond? First, \*\*Bibliovore \*\*asks how you would sell perfect diamonds without raising suspicion, not saying that they don’t exist. They are the highest clarity grade and no doubt the diamond industry experts would soon know if someone was dumping a large number of them on the market. That is why it would raise suspicion, although they would be absolutely genuine diamonds so I’m not sure exactly what people would be suspicious _of_. “Flawless” is a technical grade for clarity and does not mean “perfect.” It means that flaws are not detectable by a person examining it with a 10x loupe. Clarity of a diamond is not the only measure of its value; color, weight, and cut are also considered. Most diamonds have imperfections and those less than “flawless” can still be quite valuable. If I were going to duplicate diamonds I would pick the kind that are the most common, not the most valuable, because that would have the least impact on the market and draw the least attention. Even a box full of average diamonds can net you a fortune. ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-copy-box/636376/29 "2012-10-02T12:58:21Z")
So, if I can only find one of a pair of socks I can duplicate it and presto-chango, matching socks! ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-copy-box/636376/30 "2012-10-02T13:09:26Z")
Tribbles. Lots and lots of tribbles. ---
**Author:** ![Bibliovore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Bibliovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bibliovore)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-copy-box/636376/31 "2012-10-02T13:33:19Z")
In the story, the box is found by an extremely poor but honest and resourceful young boy called Biscuit, who lives in a hovel under a bridge with the old man that found him when he was a baby and raised him as his own. Biscuit and the old man now have the key to untold wealth, but the tyrannical Duke of the city is also looking for the box, so they can’t be too obvious about their limitless cash. Any suggestions? Would it be easiest for them to just copy enough coins to leave the city and travel as far away as they can, perhaps re-inventing themselves in a distant port? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-copy-box/636376/32 "2012-10-02T14:43:42Z")
> [@](#): > > Any suggestions? Would it be easiest for them to just copy enough coins to leave the city and travel as far away as they can, perhaps re-inventing themselves in a distant port? They could become some pretty masterful thieves if they had some way of coming in contact with people’s keys. Maybe find work as an apprentice watchmaker or something (or is that a little too "Hugo"esque?). ---
**Author:** ![Bibliovore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Bibliovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bibliovore)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-copy-box/636376/33 "2012-10-02T16:31:10Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > They could become some pretty masterful thieves if they had some way of coming in contact with people’s keys. Maybe find work as an apprentice watchmaker or something (or is that a little too "Hugo"esque?). They could, but remember that these are the good guys in the story. Biscuit and the Old Man are poor but honest. Plus why would you need to steal anything when the box gives you so many risk-free ways to get rich? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-copy-box/636376/34 "2012-10-02T16:32:05Z")
> [@Bibliovore](#): > > Would it be easiest for them to just copy enough coins to leave the city and travel as far away as they can, perhaps re-inventing themselves in a distant port? To aid in the reinvention, they should copy enough coins both for travel and for clothing suitable for rich people, so that when they walk off the boat at the other end of the trip, they have no trouble passing themselves off as nobility. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-copy-box/636376/35 "2012-10-02T17:02:17Z")
The box doesn’t seem near big enough to create a pair of pants, or shoes even. And I think in such a story, the goal should not just be for these two to just get out of town, but to have created Something Truly Unique - something the box simply cannot do. I think that using the box to simply create wealth would be uninteresting - how can they use the box to gain knowledge? Or at the very least, what could they duplicate that could be traded for favor or knowledge? As a makeshift printing press (when is this story set)? That’d be one way for it to create knowledge - disseminate it to the masses. Do we want them to escape the Duke, or do we want them to form a Resistance and rise up against him? ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-copy-box/636376/36 "2012-10-02T18:05:30Z")
Biscuit, while out foraging/begging, find a very fancy ring. they manage to make a few copies, and sell a few to some of the shadier folks on the street. Sadly, just as they are selling a ring, the Duchess Lady von Fancie Pantalons sees her missing ring, screeches that it has been stolen, and Biscuit must be off… ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-copy-box/636376/37 "2012-10-02T19:22:07Z")
My assumptions: 1) you want to make enough money to be able to live a pretty good lifestyle, and 2) you don’t want the gummint to come asking any awkward questions. Assuming the government would get wind of my somehow having large quantities of valuable stuff to sell, or unusual amounts of cash, I’d probably lay as low as possible, and just duplicate cash for all my daily living expenses. Keep working for a couple of years, use the salary solely for things that really can’t be easily paid in cash (e.g. the mortgage), and spend nothing else from the salary. Duplicate food, meds and other consumables so you don’t even have to buy much of that. Of course, doing this requires a certain amount of care - wouldn’t want to spend two identical 20 dollar bills at the same time. You could also duplicate and sell smallish amounts of valuables (jewelry, gold). The key again is to keep it low profile, so nobody notices you selling off an unusual amount of “family heirlooms” or selling Grandma’s diamond ring more than once. Once you’re all set (or even while you’re setting yourself up), time to go humanitarian. Volunteer at a food bank, and see to it that they never run out of the most popular food items. Go overseas and see to it that AIDS relief missions never run out of antivirals. Etc. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-copy-box/636376/38 "2012-10-02T21:26:44Z")
The idea was also explored in the “Venus Equilateral” science fiction stories by George O. Smith. Smith ultimately got around the issue by a counter-acting technological innovation. This ducked the real philosophical questions, but, to be fair, he did explore them thoughtfully before he shucked the issue. I like **CookingWithGas** ’s idea of duplicating “average” diamonds. I’d still have trouble, though, finding someone who could buy them. After a while, they’re going to ask, “Where are you getting these?” How can I answer? I suppose I could keep going to different cities, but, again, sooner or later, word is going to get around. ---
**Author:** ![kjckjc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e36b37/32.png) [@kjckjc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kjckjc)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2012, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-copy-box/636376/39 "2012-10-02T23:41:25Z")
The real money isn’t in the box. It is renting the vacuum chamber to the guy with the box that allows it to work. Otherwise it will always be full and therefore fail to work. ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2012, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-copy-box/636376/40 "2012-10-03T00:40:00Z")
Is there any kind of automatic tracking system for serial numbers on money? Does the bank log them every time you make a deposit? Are all serial numbers checked for anomalies, or only against a database of flagged stolen money? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-copy-box/636376.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-copy-box/636376.md?page=3)