Obviously, the experts (DOJ et al) disagree with them being considered counterfeits. I have no idea how eBay has migrated their regulations now that the EMR has been disbanded, but what their original ruling was, as relayed me, that only Daniel Carr's coins were exempted. If you are asking what my opinion is, strike fantasy coins from real coin planchet is not a problem. Striking existing dates form any planchet is counterfeiting just as adding MM's or other alterations to make the coin valuable.
I don't think that is a fair conclusion. Failure to prosecute in the past does not waive the government's right to prosecute in the future if the coins were adjudicated to violate the Title 18 statutes, and under the "continuing offense doctrine" the statute of limitations would effectively be tolled. Nothing in my post should be construed to suggest criminal liability of any specific persons and all comments are meant as opinion only.
Last time I discussed anything career related (which was relevant to a post directed towards me) on this forum, I was criticized heavily and posts were made to imply arrogance by virtue of simply discussing them. As such, I would rather not discuss my career/personal details on a coin forum. I encourage everyone to form their own conclusions, but I believe my point is well settled to the point that it is black letter law.
Just about everyone who intentionally lists a fake will include in their title "counterfeit" or "replica". Your coin was a counterfeit/replica as this post indicates. People understand these terms.
A Mil is one thousandth of an inch (But the TV hucksters selling their plated "tribute" pieces use it as an abbreviation for Millionth.)
I would normally agree. However, as defined by the law, it is millionths. (4)An industry product or part thereof, on which there has been affixed on all significant surfaces by an electrolytic process, an electroplating of gold, or of a gold alloy of not less than 10 karat fineness, which has a minimum thickness throughout equivalent to .175 microns (approximately 7/1,000,000ths of an inch) of fine gold,
If a person is truly trying to sell a novelty item they would communicate with the buyer to be sure there are no misunderstandings. Otherwise, it is obviously ok with the OP to rip off an unsuspecting buyer. It is not ok no matter how clueless the buyer or how much he thinks he is getting a great deal.
Yes, for the standard definition of "mil" as one thousandth of an inch. But if you look around using Google, you'll see that eBay is not the only place where people are using "mil" to mean "millionth of an inch". It's in general (ab)use, for better or for worse.
But in your quote from the law they do not define a Mil at all. It says it has to be .175 microns and that that equals 7 millionths of an inch It does NOT say that it equals 7 Mils.
No they don't. But, as Jeff said, if you look around a bit the gold industry has certainly chosen to use it as such and interpret it as meaning exactly that. http://realmofthegoddess.com/glossary.php http://gmmfgjewelry.com/helpful-information/ http://garlanchain.com/resources/finishes/ That is just a sampling, there are many more. And if you don't see it right away hit Control F on your keyboard and type in 7 mils.