I was reading this interesting tibit on the ANACS site At ANACS, any coin that we believe may be counterfeit or altered may be returned to the customer with a note calling the piece “Questionable Authenticity.” This would mean we are not absolutely certain the coin is a counterfeit, but we believe it is. If we are absolutely certain that a the coin is a counterfeit or an alteration, pursuant to federal law and in accordance with our legal obligations we reserve the right to turn the piece over to the U.S Secret Service. The Secret Service’s standard procedure is to contact the current owner and the previous owner and have the previous owner return the purchase price to the buyer. The Secret Service’s ultimate goal is to trace the coin back to the original perpetrator. https://www.anacs.com/CounterfeitCoins.aspx Now that is EXACTLY what needs to happen with Stolen Coins as well..
Aren't stolen coins returned to their rightful owners (if known) by the police when they are recovered? What am I missing here? Are you saying that recovered stolen coins should be turned over to the secret service? Or, are you implying that TPGs don't cooperate with law enforcement and will slab stolen coins? A former police chief runs a site that lists stolen coins. This has been publicized within the hobby and I would expect TPGs to be aware of it and use it if they are suspicious of a submission. Police agencies can also check recovered coins against the data base. http://numismaticcrimes.org So, what EXACTLY are you asking for in your post?
Good title can not pass on stolen property. If there is proof, the property is returned to the real owner. You have to prove to the police that the coin belongs to you. They can't just take your word. Lets say that I buy a coin at a show and it becomes known that it was stolen. My receipt from the seller protects me from being charged with possession of stolen property but the police can take the coin. I have to go back to the seller to collect my loss and that seller has to go back to the person he bought it from and on and on. At this point it's a civil matter with the courts. Many, maybe most dealers will just pay up and go after the person they bought it from if they feel it's worth the time. I have to question if ANACS would actually contact the Secret Service. The SS are not well known for getting involved with counterfeit coins. They will get all over fake paper money but coins are minor to them. Not enough agents and funds to chase minor stuff.
No they aren't and the person who sold the stolen coin is not made to reimburse either. And the police do not try to trace the coin back to the theft.
You will not e ANACS says they reserve the right to turn counterfeits over to the SS. not that they WILL turn them over. As far as I know they have always returned them to the submitter.
You are wrong in so many ways. If it were your coin would you just take the loss and say nothing? I don't think so. You would want the coin back and be able to take it back to the person you bought it from.
