[SAJ]

You are correct as far as you go. However, the Mint acted unlawfully; the proper course for LAWFUL recovery would have been for the Mint to institute a suit against the property holder, not to simply seize the property.

The mere notion of goobermint 'considering' something to be stolen is hardly sufficient, at law, to justify the seizure of the property...assuming the goobermint operates according to the rule of law.

[SJSAMPLE]

Oh, I definitely agree.
Mega-dittos for the way the IRS seizes accounts and assets without due process.

And don’t get me started about cops and their WO(S)D asset seizure and forfeiture tactics.

They want it. You got it.
Anything else is incidental.