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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Carausius, post: 2879253, member: 76440&quot;]I believe that was the intent from the inception of the U.S. law, and until 2007 it was interpreted consistently.&nbsp; It was only from the appeal of (1) radical archaeologists and (2) source countries incapable of enforcing their own draconian laws, that our executive branch began imposing import restrictions on common, repetitious artifacts like coins. The radical archaeologists are in bed with the source countries, you see.&nbsp; The source countries issue their excavation permits.&nbsp; Follow the money...</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Source countries do the complete opposite.&nbsp; By not recognizing any private rights in artifacts found on private land, they discourage reporting of finds and drive such finds to the black market.&nbsp; I believe their laws also fail to differentiate between true, clandestine looters of archaeological sites from innocent finders (i.e. gardeners or farmers working their fields). These countries don&#039;t have the resources to police their own borders, so they impose the burden on other countries&#039; governments and taxpayers via import contols.&nbsp; Quite frankly, these source countries don&#039;t have the resources, financial or physical,&nbsp; to properly conserve, store and make available for study the common coins that are found within their borders. But how does letting the coins into commerce benefit numismatic study, you ask?&nbsp; The numismatic trade, through plated auction catalogues provides an important source of study material for amatuer and academic numismatists.&nbsp; It&#039;s the dirty little secret among the academics.&nbsp; Look at most of their publications and you&#039;ll see photos attributed to CNG, NAC etc. Back to the initial point, the U.K Portable Antiquities Scheme should be the gold standard - listen to Roger Bland describe its successes and you&#039;ll agree.&nbsp; Contexts preserved, hoards recorded, finders rewarded, and either museums or the trade getting the material.&nbsp; A win-win by any measure.&nbsp; Why source countries aren&#039;t clamoring for such a law is beyond my comprehension.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Agreed.&nbsp; Historically, there was a very good relationship between collectors and scholars. I&#039;ve heard the radical archaeologists referred to as a &quot;vocal minority&quot;.&nbsp; If true, it would be nice to see the silent majority speak-up more often in favor of ethical collecting, but I guess they don&#039;t want to be subjected to ridicule by the minority.</p><p><br /></p><p>Please support the Ancient Coin Collectors Guild.&nbsp; I don&#039;t always agree with their strategies, but at least they&#039;re fighting the fight![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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