Oppose Import Restrictions

chrisfuccione

This comes from the NUMISM-L@LISTSERV.SC.EDU message board. Thanks CHRIS

Friends,

The request of the People's Republic of China for import restrictions
on antiquities will be heard February 17 by the Cultural Property
Advisory Committee in Washington DC. It is very important that we tell
CPAC that we want coins to be exempt from any import restrictions. You
can play an important part by sending a message to the committee. It
only takes a few minutes and it is free. Go to http://accg.us and
click on the picture of the Capitol building. You will find there
details on how to send a free fax to the committee and even some sample
letters. Or, you can tell them in your own words how you feel about
import restrictions. Even though you may not collect Chinese coins, it
is very important that we obtain this exemption so that this does not
become a precedent for future restrictions. Please take just a few
minutes to send your message to CPAC and oppose import restrictions on
coins from China. Then, convince a friend to do it too and double your
impact.

Thanks,

Wayne G. Sayles
Ancient Coin Collectors Guild

AuldFartte

Didn't the gov't. put the same restrictions on Iraq's (and other's) coins recently?

Thanks for the link

Conder101

Yes Bush did sign the bill banning the importation of any coin that may have circulated at any time in Iraq if it can't be shown that it left the country before I believe 1990. Take to the extreme it could probably be applied to almost all European coins before about 1950. Years ago Iraq was a major crossroad and cons from all over passed through the country. So how do you prove that any given coin didn't pass trough Iraq or if it did, that it left before 1990?

Askari

Hi Chris,

The Federal Register only offers the option of faxing a letter (unless it's a 5+ page tome). Does ACCG have an alternative for those without faxes? Are they collecting letters (including emails) to forward on?

chrisfuccione

This is it folks, last chance to speak out in opposition to import
restrictions. The deadline for comments is Friday, Feb. 4 at 5:00 pm
EST.

If you have any interest in ancient coins, or any coins over 100 years
old, you would be doing yourself a favor by sending a free and simple
fax to the Cultural Property Advisory Committee. You don't even have
to figure out what to say. We have three sample letters to choose
from. If you haven't sent a fax yet, go to http://accg.us and click on
the picture of the U.S. Capitol Building. Follow the instructions and
in five minutes you will have made an important contribution to the
hobby. You don't need a fax machine, just type your name and paste the
message you want. The fax wizard is absolutely free and it does all
the work for you. We have sent 115 faxes so far, but that is not
enough. Please take just a few minutes to add your comments.

tbirde56

Will import restrictions stem the tide of counterfeit coins coming from there? If so, I'm for it. Then again, they may be the only coins that get through. At least then we'll have NO doubt that every Chinese coin is fake.

chrisfuccione

The ACCG service IS a fax. You enter the info online and hit SEND
and your fax goes out by telephone. You don't need a fax machine
yourself and you don't have to pay for the call. I wouldn't suggest
a 5 page letter unless someone has a really cogent argument and good
details. One page is plenty and will be a big help.