Make Your Own Art Money
Create It. Authenticate It. Exchange It.
Your Art. Your Values. Your Terms.
Your creative work can become something people desire to own, collect, treasure, and exchange.
Whether you create paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, sculpture, music, poetry, stories, or other artistic works, you can establish your own collection of original artworks and limited editions.
Create distinctive works. Establish your own artistic valuations. Document your creations with Certificates of Authenticity. Invite collectors to acquire and exchange your art.
Through Minnaar Money — The Art of Freedom, I encourage independent artists to explore the possibilities of art collecting and peaceful voluntary exchange.
Create art people want. Give them the freedom to collect and trade it.
1. Create Your Own Art Money
Make Art People Desire.
Begin by creating original artworks or limited editions you would like others to collect and exchange.
Your art money might take the form of:
- Original drawings, paintings, and miniature Artcards.
- Signed woodcuts, linocuts, etchings, and other original prints.
- Original photographs and signed photographic editions.
- Sculptures, ceramics, and collectible objects.
- Signed musical recordings and Musical Artcards.
- Original manuscripts, signed books, Poetry Artcards, and Story Artcards.
- Video Artcards representing original films, animations, and other moving-image creations.
You decide what to create, how many works to produce, and what value to assign.
A small print might be offered in exchange for a restaurant meal. A painting might help you acquire another artist's work, professional services, or something else you desire.
You can establish your own artistic standards and invite others to participate through voluntary exchange.
Make art people want. Then discover what your art can help you acquire.
Photographers — Put Your Images Into Circulation
Create original photographs and signed limited editions that collectors can enjoy, preserve, gift, and exchange.
Establish your own valuations, document your editions, and invite exchanges for other artworks, photographic equipment, professional services, or anything else you find desirable.
You might also allow collectors to exchange earlier prints toward new photographic editions.
Your photography. Your editions. Your exchange terms.
Musicians, Poets, Writers & Filmmakers — Make Your Art Collectible
Creative works can take collectible physical forms.
Musicians may issue signed recordings or Musical Artcards representing original compositions.
Poets and writers may create signed books, original manuscripts, illustrated poems, Story Artcards, or Poetry Artcards.
Filmmakers and animators may create Video Artcards connecting original physical artwork to their moving-image creations.
The standard Artcard measures 2.5 × 3.5 inches. A QR code or web link can connect its physical artwork to an original recording, poem, story, or video.
Each artist is free to establish edition sizes, valuations, and exchange arrangements for their own creations.
Small Art. Expansive Possibilities.
2. Establish Your Own Artistic Value
You Decide What Your Art Is Worth to You.
Every artist has the freedom to establish personal valuations for their creations.
You might value a drawing at the equivalent of an ounce of silver, a limited-edition print at five ounces, or an original painting at a substantially greater amount.
You might prefer another unit of account or establish your values through direct negotiation and exchange.
The essential principle is that you determine what you are willing to accept for your work, while others freely decide what they are willing to offer.
You can also establish a consistent schedule of values for different artistic categories, making it easier for collectors to understand and exchange your creations.
The Minnaar Money Example
Within Minnaar Money, I assign each registered artwork a Sovereign Value (SV).
1 SV = 1 Troy Ounce of Silver
Sovereign Value represents my personal artistic exchange commitment—the value I am willing to accept for a work and would willingly offer in other Minnaar Money to acquire it.
This consistent reference supports artwork acquisitions and exchanges between eligible registered Minnaars, allowing collectors to acquire, preserve, and exchange works according to their own interests.
You are welcome to develop an independent valuation system appropriate to your own artistic practice.
Your art. Your judgment. Your values.
3. Authenticate Your Art
Give Every Artwork a Lasting Identity.
Art intended to circulate among collectors benefits from clear and reliable documentation.
A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) can identify an artwork's creator, title, medium, dimensions, edition number, and other distinguishing information.
It can also help collectors preserve the history of an artwork as it changes hands.
I use digital Certificates of Authenticity to document registered Minnaar Money.
Artists may establish their own independent authentication systems using digital certificates and other suitable documentation.
Digital Authentication Resources
IntelliMint
I use IntelliMint technology to issue digital Certificates of Authenticity for Minnaar Money.
COAmint
Through COAmint.com, artists can explore establishing their own verified certificate-issuer identities associated with their website domains.
CertificateOfAuthenticity.com
Digital certificates issued through compatible systems may be checked at CertificateOfAuthenticity.com.
These resources offer ways to develop a documented collection under your own artistic identity.
A Certificate of Authenticity records the issuer's claims and helps establish provenance. The issuing artist remains responsible for accurate documentation and authentication.
Create the art. Document its identity. Give collectors a lasting record.
4. Put Your Art Into Circulation
Discover the Possibilities of Voluntary Exchange.
Once you've created and documented your art, invite others to acquire and exchange it.
The free Minnaar Trading Post offers a marketplace where individuals can propose exchanges involving artworks, goods, services, and experiences.
List your creations, describe their distinctive qualities, and explain what you would enjoy receiving in return.
You might exchange your artwork for:
- Other original artworks and collectibles.
- Printing, framing, photography, or advertising services.
- Restaurant meals, travel, or accommodations.
- Equipment, materials, or professional services.
- Silver, registered Minnaar Money, or other objects of interest.
Anyone who appreciates your creations may become a potential trading partner.
You establish your own values, consider offers, and decide which exchanges to accept.
Create something desirable. Offer it freely. Discover what others value in exchange.
EXPLORE THE MINNAAR TRADING POST →
5. Make Your Art Exchangeable
Give Collectors More Ways to Enjoy Your Work.
One of the most interesting possibilities for independent artists is establishing an ongoing relationship between their artworks and collectors.
You may offer opportunities for collectors to exchange previously acquired works toward other available creations.
For example, someone who owns two of your limited-edition prints might exchange them toward a larger original artwork.
A photographer might allow collectors to exchange earlier photographs toward new editions.
A musician might accept previously issued collectible recordings toward new releases.
You decide which works qualify, how exchanges are valued, and what terms you are willing to offer.
Clear identification, documented edition sizes, authentication, and consistent exchange arrangements can help collectors understand and appreciate your work.
Create. Authenticate. Collect. Exchange.
Meet Artists, Collectors & Fellow Creators
Artistic opportunities often grow through personal relationships.
I invite visual artists, photographers, musicians, writers, filmmakers, collectors, and anyone interested in creative exchange to our weekly Minnaar Money gatherings.
Discover original artworks, meet fellow creators and collectors, and explore opportunities for artistic collaboration and voluntary exchange.
Saturday Art Gatherings: 10 AM–Noon
Minnaar Art Gallery & Library
24701 La Plaza, Suite 102
Dana Point, CA 92629
Gallery Hours:
Saturday, 9 AM–1 PM
Sunday, 11 AM–3 PM
Monday–Friday by appointment.
EXPLORE MINNAAR MONEY MEETUPS →
The Art of Freedom Begins With the Individual
I created Minnaar Money as an artistic expression of individual sovereignty, personal judgment, and peaceful voluntary exchange.
I believe artists can establish their own values, cultivate relationships with collectors, and create opportunities for their work to be acquired, collected, and exchanged.
Each artist is free to develop an independent approach to original works, limited editions, authentication, collecting, and exchange.
The opportunity begins with your own imagination and initiative.
Create What You Love. Establish Your Values. Invite Others to Participate.
Steven Minnaar
Artist & Collector
Minnaar Money — The Art of Freedom
Begin Creating Your Own Art Money
Create It. Authenticate It. Exchange It.
Discover the tools and opportunities available to independent artists.
Create original artworks and limited editions. Establish their identities through suitable documentation and authentication. Offer your work for exchange through the Minnaar Trading Post.
Independent artists determine their own values, terms, and availability.
Your Art. Your Values. Your Terms.
CREATE DIGITAL CERTIFICATES OF AUTHENTICITY →
LIST YOUR ART FOR TRADE — FREE →
Independent artists determine the values, terms, and availability of their own creations. Independent artworks become registered Minnaar Money only through my personal artistic selection and designation. Minnaar Catalogue exchange privileges apply to eligible registered works. Art money represents collectible art offered through voluntary exchange; it is not legal tender or a guarantee of monetary redemption.