Impossible that these coins were obtained legally given the original circumstances. But, by allowing the 1 example to be sold (I believe the gov't split the money with the "owner", that was not stated in the link) they have set a precedent that not all of these coins need to be confiscated and destroyed.
Destroyed? Who ever said anything about "destroyed"? Certainly not the U.S. Mint! To the contrary, they've announced their intent to show and share them as widely as possible. Confiscated? Sure. Destroyed? A straw man argument.
Consider this. The one "legalized" one last changed hands on July 30, 2002 and hasn't been publicly seen since. The only reasonable chance for the average collector to ever see one is the 10 former Langbords or the two at the Smithsonian. And who makes that possible? Those baaaad old puddy tats at the U.S. gummint.
Already I'm not liking this guy. From the article: "Between 1999 and 2000 Greg served the United States Mint as the Program Manager responsible for the development and launch of the golden dollar." Although I do respect him as I'm sure it took a lot of cajones to admit he's the big brain behind these cartoonish coins that circulate if at all only in vending machines.
Kurtsy, he's worth hearing from. How can you get better than this? Really. He was right in the middle of it. And what better person to hear this side from?
Even though I already got the private version at Denver, this, along with ANA August Host Committee meetings, will cause me to shlep to Pittsburgh next month.
Wait. You mean we might need a viewpoint other than, "I'm agin' da' gummint!"??? Is that allowed in numismatics? Sometimes I wonder. Gee, next thing you'll be telling me is that those "Freedom Checks" radio ads are a scam.
Kennedy called the myth, the comfort of opinion, without the discomfort of thought. Or some such thing like that (...just going from memory).
I didn’t know the family sent the coins to the feds ON THE ADVICE OF THEIR ATTORNEY. Guess it’s true that you can get a law license off the back of a box of Fruit Loops.
Ah, CoinWeek AND Numismatic News....they apparently had a slow news week! Kurt, I generally enjoy your comments & read most of them, but I think you should consider hitting the ignore button on me, as I am considering the same!
Too lazy to do my own research, but have these 10 coins been displayed anywhere for public viewing yet?
Seriously? The Langbord case outcome offends you? I just don't get that mindset. I doubt I ever will. It's encouraging theft.
I for one couldn’t care less about them at this point and id rather see them destroyed than more money wasted dragging them around. Maybe I’m in the minority but I’m sick of money being wasted on these things.