Finding a currency symbol for Safecoin

I prefer the second one simply because it is easier to write.

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I think it’d be OK to strike two lines directly through a solid S, rather than break the middle of the S line up so it doesn’t cross through the = sign.

Especially when handwriting it. But font designers could go either way when they decide which way best fits the font.

The dollar sign sometimes has two vertical lines, though it usually (especially with handwriting) has just one.

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First one is a winner.

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One dash line across the mid should suffice. I understand it should be two for parallelism but it’s really hard to read/see in unicode.

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I offer two alternatives that might be easier to write by hand whilst also being quite legible onscreen.
The modified uppercase letter ‘A’ of course references back to David’s ants metaphor.

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I would like to contribute to this topic. My idea for the currency symbol is based on these thoughts:

  • It should be easy to distinguish from other currency symbols, in particular from the . It should therefore not be based on an uppercase S. It is too easy to get confused by -like symbols, especially on small screens like a cell phone. The above example image of “1,234 $ have been transferred to your wallet” (example) looks kind of dangerous to me.

  • The principal form of the logo of the SAFE Network is a Delta shape. Specifically in a simplified form it is a Delta with rounded corners. So, I wanted to use the same symbol that is the logo for the SAFE Network to be used for the SAFE Coin currency symbol. A Delta with rounded corners.

  • It should have the traditional vertical bar or bars that currencies typically have ($, £, €).

From this basic idea I have derive 9 slightly different variations. Here is the PNG image. How can I post an SVG file so that other people can build upon this idea if they like to play around with it?

Any thoughts on this idea? Comments? Feedback?

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The Delta shape is in fact Maidsafe logo. As of yet the SAFE network does not have one. I suspect though that Maidsafe is working on this in parallel, has topics on logo/currency-symbol have not harvested a single ‘like’ from the team.

Today I thought about currency symbols a little bit more. Most currency symbols have a height-width ratio of about 2:1 (I just measured the $ symbol on 2 common fonts). The above Delta symbols are close to 1:1, i.e. they are a lot wider than most currency symbols. Hence I have create 2 additional columns of variations that are more narrow, as to be more similar in height-width as other currency symbols.

Here the new set of Delta variations:

My personal favorites are:

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and this

YESH

The top corner of the inside triangle seems off because of an optical illusion (I guess); can you maybe tweak it a bit? It wouldn’t be precise anymore, but it would look better.

Good ideas. The rounded delta is nifty, and puffy. The bottom of the angle strip, should be in the center. 20 percent to the right which indicate 120 percent. Safecoin resource cycle can push up to 120 percent under certain circumstances. It is like an human blood rate meter. When one were to run, it requires more red cells into the muscles so the heart has to pump more. 120/80 is the healthy for the heart!

I like second row, 4th image.

I’m thinking about people trying to write these symbols and others getting to read them.

Subtle curves and shapes might not work as well as easily recognised combinations such add a modified S etc.

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sad but true :scream_cat: i do love that smooth rounded triangle, i just can’t reproduce it by hand :joy_cat:

here’s one i can; not as pretty, but super simple:

Short and sweet: I like the first one a lot. I do feel there is a bit more there to squeeze out of the idea.
Maybe let the S and = run through each other?
I like it.

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Sure I can tweak it a bit, but it is too early to create the pixel-perfect symbol. First, we have to find the general concept of the symbol. Once we found that, once we agree, we can then tune it to be picture perfect. Anyway, just like each font has a slightly different $ symbol (some have 2 vertical bars, some only one, some only a partial bar on top and the bottom), just like there are variations on the Bitcoin B, once there is an established SAFE Coin symbol, different apps, different fonts will have different interpretations of the same concept. First we have to find this generic concept. Will it be an S (I am against that), will it be a Delta, some other known letter? Some “random” symbol that does not represent a letter?

For those who would like to build upon these Delta variations, play with them, modify them, etc. The SVG file can be found here: SVG file on GitHub.

Thanks to @frabrunelle for pointing out the idea of publishing it as a “gist”.

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FYI: Different countries have different dollar symbols. AUD & USD have different number of vertical bars.

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Here are some other ideas. They are based on these (different) thoughts:

  • An “S” is basically a group of 2 semi-circles, its basic form is circular
  • We can create something that has a hint of an S, but is not an S and hopefully easily distinguishable from an S.
  • Ideas/Emotions of: “Joining”, “Sharing”, “Embrace”, as in 2 embracing circles, 2 joining semi-circles. The semi-circles might even seen as “Open” (e.g. open-minded) or “Inviting
  • Can be drawn by hand (2 or 3 motions/strokes)
  • Same width and height (roughly) as a $ symbol
  • The hinted S in these symbols stands for S as in SAFE

Here are the new ideas: (Bottom left gives a white background S, can anyone see it?)

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The use of a letter with one/two lines through it is universally recognised as a currency symbol. It was chosen by the country because it is reconisable. Both visibly and easily written.

And we see other more visually pleasing images used by various groups for their country’s currency and we see that for bitcoin

I think if we wish to become mainstream for currency then using the universally recognised form of currency is best. Anything else is seen by the mainstream public as not quite legit and seen as “monopoly money”

This to me seems extremely important for anyone who has dealt with money (pays, earnings, and so on) for any significant length of time. This is one of the reasons bitcoin ended up with the lines through “B”

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