Liberty Dollars may be subject to seizure

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by GDJMSP, Aug 29, 2011.

  1. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

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  3. Hobo

    Hobo Squirrel Hater

    Wow! That's a game changer and will make criminals out of a lot of people.
     
  4. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    To be honest I was always rather surprised the govt's previous position. This is what I expected to happen. I mean, get caught with a counterfeit bill in your possession and they'll take it in a second. And then you'll spend some unhappy time answering questions - assuming you don't get prosecuted in the end.
     
  5. medoraman

    medoraman Supporter! Supporter

    Its sad. This is a result of the way the prosecution was done, and in the prosecution somehow convinced the court that these items are counterfeit money. Since it is counterfeit in the prosecution, then the Secret Service are bound to impound them.

    Bad actions resulting from bad prosecution. Liberty dollars are not counterfeits in any way, they are medals.

    Its sad to see an overzealous prosecution now having these affects as well. I do not support creating a separate Liberty dollar currency system, but these silver medals are in no way counterfeit currency.

    Chris

    P.S. What is really sad is this stupid stuff takes time away from being able to stop the flood of true counterfeits entering the country every single day.
     
  6. coleguy

    coleguy Coin Collector

    No problem...just get yourself a counterstamp with the word "COPY" on it, stamp your Liberty Dollars with it, then according to the law you're good to go.
     
  7. Hobo

    Hobo Squirrel Hater

    Ain't that the truth!!
     
  8. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    I doubt that ! There is no such law.
     
  9. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    We shall have to agree to disagree on that point. I have always seen them as counterfeit money. It was the entire purpose of the things !
     
  10. coleguy

    coleguy Coin Collector

    I meant it more sarcastically than anything. But, since we're here, why can I buy a perfect replica of any coin made and as long as it has COPY on it it's legal, but if it doesn't it's counterfeit? So, wouldn't that in effect make a Liberty Dollar legal if it had COPY stamped on it, even though in reality we all know it's not even a copy of any real currency? Where is the line drawn here?
    Guy
     
  11. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    If you made a copy of a Liberty dollar, and it had COPY on it - it would be legal. But it is not legal to take an actual Liberty dollar and stamp it. That's the difference.
     
  12. avr5700

    avr5700 Member

    Not surprised at all by this, but I disagree with it since nobody and I mean nobody could hand me such a coin and reasonably expect me to be fooled into thinking it was official U.S. currency. Sorry, that doesn't pass the sniff test. Regardless, I wouldn't mind owning an example if only to be contrarian.

    So will values go up or down now?
     
  13. coleguy

    coleguy Coin Collector

    Got it. Thanks for the clarification, Doug.
    Guy
     
  14. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    But there purpose was not to fool you into thinking they (Liberty dollars) were US currency. Their purpose was to get you to use them instead of US currency. They were made to be used as money, as a replacement for US currency.
     
  15. vdbpenny1995

    vdbpenny1995 Well-Known Member

    SO would it be a bad idea to buy a few? Ive always wanted a couple, and also if they are subjected to seizure, would the prices of the sky rocket? Like could people want double there value at like flea markets?
     
  16. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    They might. They could also find themselves getting arrested too. And so may the buyers.

    Of course there's a pretty good profit in selling counterfeit hundred dollar bills too. I wonder how many will be trying that.
     
  17. medoraman

    medoraman Supporter! Supporter

    Still don't understand how they are "counterfeit". I understand the Fed does not want another type of currency, but to me that is simply an alternate currency, not a counterfeit US currency. They could feel free to impound them as illegal items if they wanted, but to invole counterfeiting laws simply confuses me. You comparison between them and bogus $100 bills doesn't help, since the bogus $100 is clearly an imitation of good US currency, and thus counterfeit.

    Doesn't in its name a counterfeit imply deceptive copy? Maybe that is where I am wrong.

    Chris
     
  18. BUncirculated

    BUncirculated Well-Known Member

    Someone should notify Carr, his junk may be next!
     
  19. hontonai

    hontonai Registered Contrarian

    Yup. The official definition is much broader than "deceptive copy". Here's a sampling - just a few of the relevant provisions found in the Federal Criminal Code - Title 18, U.S. Code

    § 336:
    § 485:
    §486:
    (My emphases)

    *Note definition 2.b. from an on-line dictionary definition:

    si·mil·i·tude (s-ml-td, -tyd)
    n.
    1. Similarity; resemblance. See Synonyms at likeness.
    2.
    a. One closely resembling another; a counterpart.
    b. A perceptible likeness.
    3. Archaic A simile, allegory, or parable.

    Under that definition it could be argued that a Victorian Era bronze penny has "similitude" to a silver 1990 Japanese Osaka Expo ¥5,000 commemorative, since both have a woman's bust on one side along with other design elements and characters, and are not too dissimilar in size.
     
  20. jloring

    jloring Senior Citizen

  21. jloring

    jloring Senior Citizen

    Just had to get that D. Carr bash in there didn't you BUnc... that's OK, I still really like his stuff. Just a little pricey for my depleted wallet.
     
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