The idea is if I spend my own money to produce a bunch of Rudy Giuliani (slap me!) yard signs, and sell them or give them away to other people, without being directed by or coordinated with the campaign, then I am, in fact, promoting the candidacy of the gun grabber but I do not have to count that expenditure towards my $2,300 individual campaign contribution limit.
Same idea with having Ron Paul’s image on these pieces of copper, silver, and gold bullion. It’s promoting his candidacy, but since it’s not coordinated with or orchestrated by his campaign, it does not fall under the $2,300 individual contribution limit.
I understand, but you're not addressing the point of reversion to the GOP if there's coordination.
Only cash contributions could revert to the GOP. Not the "value" of promoting Ron Paul by purchasing his coin, which is negligible anyway. Comparing the promotional value to Paul of purchasing a coin with his face on it, imo nil, to the real value of your time or cash expenditures isn't valid.
I admit the company isn't clear what the benefit to the Paul campaign is here, it may be nothing, simply a benefit to the company of peddling coins.