[Pearls Before Swine]

Even if they were stolen, isn’t there a statute of limitations?

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

“...after President Franklin D. Roosevelt took the country off the gold standard in 1933...”

Uh, nice try AP.

What the stinking, stupid, socialist bastard did was outlaw the private ownership of gold, orchestrate banking “holidays” to get control of deposit boxes, and then mandated that a banking officer be present whenever a deposit box was opened and to confiscate all gold.

Also, he did not take us off the gold standard. He cut back the gold reserve to dollar ratio. It was Nixon who finally took us off the gold standard completely.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

The coins are being held in Fort Knox. They may actually represent the only gold currency of any worth in that place.

[G Larry]

“...went to the U.S. Treasury to authenticate the coins...”

Whatta’ya? Kidden’ me????

How stupid do you have to be???

[Alex Murphy]

Treasury officials charge that the never-circulated “double eagles” were stolen from the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia in 1933. They could be worth $80 million or more, given that one sold for nearly $7.6 million in 2002. The coins come from a batch that were struck but melted down after President Franklin D. Roosevelt took the country off the gold standard in 1933

Ping for later

[WKUHilltopper]

And no one thinks they’re not capable of stealing everything you have—all they have to do is just saying “mine”.

[smokingfrog]

Sounds like an inside job.

[Axenolith]

This is a tough call, because the government doesn’t deserve to have them in light of their being evil gold stealing corrupt bastards, and the people don’t deserve to have them, because their actions demonstrate that they have to be the stupidest specimens of humanity to walk the planet...

That said, back in the day it was pretty common practice to let issues “slip’ out to employees and friends in exchange for cash value before the issuance. The books balanced, and a few folks got to hold new types before everyone else.

[Grut]

So, the government seizes the coins and gains maybe a couple of thousands worth of gold. Or, the heirs sell the coins, make $80 million, and local, state and federal governments rake in millions in taxes. Which will the government do?

It’s a no-brainer.

[reflecting]

this makes no sense, the person accused of the crime is not able to defend himself, how can the trial be fair?
let the fam keep the coins... good grief...

[Iron Munro]

The coins come from a batch that were struck but melted down after President Franklin D. Roosevelt took the country off the gold standard in 1933

If they were melted down they don't exist.

[samadams2000]

Buy $20 Liberty gold dolllars in MS 62 or better condition. 1 oz of gold with less than $200 Premium for scarcity. A good place to have some funds.

[catfish1957]

They could be worth $80 million or more, given that one sold for nearly $7.6 million in 2002.

Simple question.... If all the 1933 $20 gold pieces were stolen from the mint, why wasn't the one sold in 2002 seized also?