Coin Bank
Flip a Coin
I’m trying out my new, high tech random blog topic generator this week. It’s called, “flip a coin”. Except I can’t seem to make heads or tails of it – it’s not very specific. What the heck, I’ll just use the whole coin instead.
Coin Bank (17) by Fumio Tsuburai
The past few years have seen Karakuri Creation Group artist Fumio Tsuburai create a series of coin bank puzzle boxes for the group’s annual “Christmas present” offering. Each bank is handsomely crafted in beautiful hardwoods such as paduk, bubinga and walnut, and features lovely yosegi accents and detailing. Each has an obvious slot on top for the coins, and no apparent way to remove your money. Smash the piggy bank, perhaps? I don’t think that will be necessary.
Coin Bank (16) by Fumio Tsuburai
Each box in the series has a different secret opening mechanism and each requires a bit of logical deduction about the purpose of the box. They are all excellent, but the most recent (“17”) is perhaps the best yet. It employs a very clever mechanism and might challenge your sensibilities. These boxes will definitely help you save up for the next one in the series and may keep your money safer than you like!
Coin Bank (15) by Fumio Tsuburai
Let’s flip a coin for a cocktail to pair with these as well. The Coin Toss was created by famed mixologist Phil Ward from the landmark New York bar Death and Company. The idea was to create a cocktail template which would work for various base spirits as a multiple choice option, depending on your mood. The basic recipe employs vermouth and “something interesting” which in this case means a little yellow Chartreuse and a little Benedictine for sweetness. The base spirit works well with rye, apple brandy, aged rum, cognac or scotch. Roll the die, flip a coin, pick out of a hat, or find some other means of selection. There’s more than enough possibilities for all of these coin banks, at any rate. I chose apple brandy, since it’s so comforting during the winter months, but all of the options work well. Keep this recipe in your change purse for a versatile winner that works no matter what you’ve got handy. Cheers!
Coin Toss by Phil Ward c. 2008
Coin Toss by Phil Ward
2 oz base spirit (Death & Co. suggestions: either Rittenhouse 100 Rye, Lairds Bonded Apple Brandy, Santa Teresa 1796 Rum, Hine H Cognac, or Famous Grouse Scotch)
¾ oz sweet vermouth (e.g. Carpano Antica Formula)
¼ Yellow Chartreuse
¼ oz Benedictine
2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
Stir ingredients over ice and strain into a favorite glass. No garnish needed but a penny lemon wheel is a good tip.
These are money in the bank
For more from this artist: