[Dead Corpse]

These coins were never private property.

Supposedly... but the burden of proof is on the Government here. They've already admitted that they can't prove it.

That should be the end of the story. Assuming we all still want to pretend that we live in a country ruled by Law.

[TigersEye]

Quite frankly if I were to come into possession of one of these coins I would make a quality impression of it and from that make my own stamp. I would then turn in the coin, publically so they would have to destroy it, and take my stamp offshore and start making "authentic reproductions" of the Double Eagle. Sure, it would sell for a lot less but it would still mint you a fortune.

[zeugma]

Supposedly... but the burden of proof is on the Government here. They've already admitted that they can't prove it.

I think that's the point. THey can't prove that the coins were stolen. There was a three or four day window when they could have been legally purchased. I think that given as much time has passed the burden of proof on FedGov should be fairly high. Problem is, FedGov has lots of guns and has demonstrated time and time again that they are more than willing to use them.

[LexBaird]

Supposedly... but the burden of proof is on the Government here. They've already admitted that they can't prove it.

They have admitted nothing of the sort. The person quoted in the article regarding proof was the lawyer of the coin dealer, not the Govt. "But Berke said Mint officials couldn't prove the coins had been stolen, or were subject to forfeiture. "