[1rudeboy]

Looks like the majority of responses so far are from FReepers unclear on the concept of "property."

[newgeezer]

Looks like the majority of responses so far are from FReepers unclear on the concept of "property."

Perhaps some would like to think stolen property is no longer stolen property if it passes through enough hands and/or outlasts some statute of limitations. Or, maybe it's because these coins are rare and therefore worth a lot. Maybe it's because they originally belonged to the (evil) government.

Very strange.

[Modernman]

Looks like the majority of responses so far are from FReepers unclear on the concept of "property."

I tend to side with the government on this one. As I understand it, these coins were never released into circulation. Anyone who owns one has obtained them through a chain that involves some sort of illegality.

A thief cannot give a customer any better title to property than the thief held.

[RightWhale]

Perhaps the 'owners' of these uncirculated coins should have incorporated as a church.

[John Robertson]

"Looks like the majority of responses so far are from FReepers unclear on the concept of "property"."

That was a little oblique. Are you saying the government was justified?

Because I am. The owner cannot provide a legitimate provenance, therefore likely came by the coins nefariously--either actively or indirectly. Liken it to Holocaust booty which has taken a half century to recover, for descendants. Just because someone has something of value in his possession for a long time, doesn't mean that it becomes his, at some point. Time actually has no meaning, if it was taken.