Tom Lynch

Choosing the President has never been easier.

At www.votingcoin.com, an undecided voter can pick up an authentic George W. Bush vs. John Kerry silver nickel coin, perfect for a last-second flip. "We wanted to make a product that appealed to everybody and didn't isolate anybody," says John Condon, one of the creators of the voter coin. "The country is so 50/50 anyway," adds Anthony Lewellen, another contributor.

The headquarters of the web site, located at the historic 333 North building on Michigan Avenue, houses "like 2,000" coins, ready for order. Some are for sale in the lobby's gift shop, others have reached retailers in New York City and Washington, D.C. "We actually sold some on eBay," says Condon, adding that the coin has had Internet sales in Germany, Ireland, and even as far as Australia, which seems impressive for an idea that didn't fully realize until the start of summer this year. "We knew we had to make a good marketing plan right away," Condon says.

"It's really easy to make fun of the system," says Lewellen, "so that's what we tried not to do." The coin itself has weight, opposed to a flimsy, plastic board game piece. It feels like a double-thick silver dollar. "It definitely has a certain kitsch market value," says Condon, when referring to his work and the "Livestrong" bracelet, the Lance Armstrong fight-symbol. "It's just when you sell these silly things--and I don't really want to say they're silly--it's all concept, not product...You just never know with these things--like the Iraqi playing cards. It's just our job to make these things explode."

(2004-10-27)

Also by Tom Lynch

Tip of the Week
The cartoon editor from the New Yorker hits town with the magazine's newest anthology, "The Complete Cartoons of the New Yorker"
(2004-10-20)

Tip of the Week
McSweeney's man Dave Eggers, along with little brother Toph, introduce new "authors" Dr. and Mr. Haggis-On-Whey...
(2004-10-13)

Asian Invasion
Billy Chaka, the wise-ass journalist who consistently finds himself in bundles of trouble, returns as Adamson's protagonist in "Kinki Lullaby," the author's fourth installment of the punk-noir series, all set in a dreamlike, though mostly accurate, Japan.
(2004-10-13)

Tip of the Week
The master of Los Angeles noir takes on Chicago this week with "Destination Morgue!" In a brand-new paperback of shorts
(2004-10-06)

Tip of the Week
(2004-09-29)

At the Drive-In
(2004-09-29)

Tip of the Week
(2004-09-23)

Tip of the Week
(2004-09-14)

The Viceroy
(2004-09-14)

Tip of the Week
(2004-09-08)

Little Miss Saigons
(2004-09-08)

Tip of the Week
(2004-08-31)

about Newcitychicago | about Newcity magazine | advertising | privacy policy | FAQ | employment