Answer received from my Senator regarding Counterfeit coins

heavymetal · May 4, 2010 12:27PM

My original letter to him was asking for help with preventing the importation of counterfeit coinage into the US. What do you think about his response and what additional comments could/should I send him? HM

Dear Mr. XXXX:

Thank you for contacting me to express your concern about the importation of counterfeit coins into the United States. Your opinion is very important to me, and I appreciate the opportunity to respond to you on this critical issue.

I have a strong appreciation for the American historical tradition of minting antique and collector coins for our domestic coin collectors. Any attempt to defraud collectors in the coin market by counterfeiting coins is highly reprehensible.

As you know, to restrict the counterfeiting of American domestic collectors coins, the United States Congress passed The Hobby Protection Act of 1973. This has placed a reasonable barrier to insure that retail sites or auction sites such as eBay do not circulate counterfeit or fake coins to unknowing collectors. In order to post coins for sale on their site, the following guidelines must be met by Congressional mandate and eBay's coin policy. First, any replica coin (U.S. or foreign) must be clearly and permanently marked with the word "COPY" as required by U.S. law. Secondly, the listing must include a photo of the coin showing the "COPY" marking on the coin itself. Images that are dark, out of focus, edited, or misleading are not permitted. Stock photos are not acceptable. Replica coin listings must clearly state that the coin is a "reproduction," "replica," or "copy" in both the title and description.

As a proud member of the Senate Cultural Caucus, I have strongly supported American arts, commemoratives, and coinage. I have a rich appreciation for the diverse and unique collector coinage that is minted here in the United States.

Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. Please do not hesitate to contact me I can be of further assistance. I invite you to visit my website (http://menendez.senate.gov) to learn more about how I am standing up for New Jersey families in the United States Senate.

JupitarCoins · May 4, 2010 12:38PM

It just sounds like alot of fluff.
No real answer to your question.

BAJJERFAN · May 4, 2010 12:42PM

What specifically do you want/expect him to do?

AUandAG · May 4, 2010 12:51PM

I challenge you to reword that letter saying that you think ebay's policies are too restrictive,
and as a collector of contemporary counterfeit coinage you'd like him to intervene.

I'll bet you will get a similar fluffy "I agree with you letter".

bob

llafoe · May 4, 2010 12:56PM

These letters are written by aides. If you receive a hand-written letter, then you'll know it was your Congressman/Senator that authored the letter and not an aide.

adamlaneus · May 4, 2010 1:02PM

Fluff is nice but I like gobbledegook as well. I wish they would run their letters through a lousy English-to-something translator then back.
For example, I believe my version...derived from the original...may contain much additional (and probably unintentional) hidden meaning.

In [se] me in the United States concerning the import of the coin of forgery in order to communicate in order to express your worry whether. Your opinion is very important for me, I recognize the opportunity which answers to you of this serious problem.

I possess the antique of casting for our domestic coin collectors and for the historical tradition of America of the coin of the collector strong appreciation. The collector we should criticize very with any attempt which the market of the coin is swindled with the forgery of the coin.

As known, restricting the forgery of the American domestic collector casts the American Congress which covers to the protective behavior of hobby 1973. As for this the place of the retail like eBay or the place of auction the forgery or false coin put the moderate barrier in order to guarantee that it does not circulate in the collector of ignorance. In order to post the coin for selling the place, as for the following guide order and eBay' of the national assembly; You must meet with; Policy of the coin of s. First, with coin of which replica (the United States foreign country) " of word; With clearly and it becomes because sign has been attached permanently; COPY" Depending on the place where the American law decides. As for 2nd in, list " The photograph of the coin which shows you must be included; COPY" Sign itself of coin. Coming off from the focus which is compiled, image or misunderstanding which is dark is not permitted. The standard photograph is not acceptance possible. The list of the coin of replica clearly the coin " So the fact that it is must be shown; Playback and " " Replica and " Or " copy" Title and description both.

Pride of cultural staff meeting of the Upper House as a high member, I the American art, supported commemoratives and the coinage strongly. I being various is cast here in the United States, possess the abundant appreciation for the coinage of the unique collector.

For the second time, me in order to share your thought thank you. I call even with help above that and communicating to me you do not have to hesitate. I in order to visit http://menendez.senate.gov) which is learned, whether I how concerning have protected the New Jersey family of the Senate, my web sight (invite details)

291fifth · May 4, 2010 1:09PM

Translation:

I have better things to do. Don't bother me with this again.

Bear · May 4, 2010 1:10PM

Translating, the letter says the following:

We did do some nominal legislation in 1973

do not expect anything else to happen on this matter

It is always nice to hear from my constituents.

It is BS, MS and PHD.

rooksmith · May 4, 2010 1:28PM

DennisH · May 4, 2010 1:35PM

A fill-in-the-blank form response that says nothing... which is also what he plans to do about it.

What you need to find is a legislator who collects coins.

MsMorrisine · May 4, 2010 1:43PM

but obviously not even a mildly interested collector

I agree that there is the big "what did you want him to do" question, a la "what can be done?"

Fake prescription meds can still be imported, porous border, not enough people, no money (let's start having everyone report transactions over $600), etc.

Ideas welcome though.

derryb · May 4, 2010 1:43PM

sounds like a politician smooching for a vote

lcoopie · May 4, 2010 1:54PM

sounds like the responses from my representative and senators regarding the health care bill,

double talk at its finest.

what was the question?

19Lyds · May 4, 2010 2:21PM

<< It just sounds like alot of fluff.
No real answer to your question. >>

I agree.

Pandering for your vote most likely as absolutely nothing, other than what everybody and his brother already knows, was addressed regarding your question.

All one of these fellows needs to do is go to eBay and buy one of these. They'll receive their replica coin(s) sans the word copy.

BTW, as for the Hobby Protection Act and eBay, even though these fella's superinpose the word REPLICA on their photographs, none of them delivers coins with that actually on them. They don't want to deface their own handwork.

I would challenge eBay to get a team of "secret shopper's" together, buy up some of these coins and when they are delivered without the required Replica or Copy, shut them down.

Perhaps if a Senator or Congressman were persuaded to do the same thing then this situation would get some attention.

joebb21 · May 4, 2010 10:32PM

tell him there is over 3,000 people in your local club that want something done about it and you might get a real letter promising change and hoping for those votes

Teva · May 5, 2010 12:17AM

Every time I contact my public officals about anything I get a very similar message. I total agree with the word fluff in describing
the responce you received. There should be a signature campaign
at every coin show who would not sign it.
It chaps my rear end everytime I see those copys because
I feel like for everyone I see thats marked there are probably ten that are not marked.

WaterSport · May 5, 2010 12:30AM

You folks do realize that Congressional folks never see or even sign your letters???? Staffers do the writing and computers do the signing. Even if you write about another federal agency the complaint goes to the agency for the response and forward back to the congressional office so they can send it out....I know because I have been doing it for 37 years.

WS

ElKevvo · May 5, 2010 12:48AM

Ha...Let's see, in 1973 if you wanted to buy and resell some counterfeit Chinese coins you would 1) Have to go to China which would be a very uncommon occurrence or know someone who would have channels to smuggle the items out of China and get them sent via a 3rd party to the US, 2) Have a method to sell them to unsuspecting collectors which would most likely mean selling at a flea market or similar venue. Sorry but traveling around the country selling illegally imported counterfeit coins would probably lead to an arrest or at least some questions from the law at one point when a collector who could identify them as counterfeit called local law enforcement. I would think that is would be more trouble than it was worth.

Today you can order the counterfeits over the internet, have them expressed mailed to your door 3 days later, sell them openly over the internet (still to unsuspecting collectors!! Hmmm...) and hide behind the 'Estate Sale...I know nothing about coins so buy at your own risk..). Is it against the policies of certain sites? Sure...but the reality is little is done about it other than taking down an auction and the seller moves on to another auction/userid/venue to peddle their wares.

That law is a toothless kitten, not even a paper tiger and clearly is out of touch with the times and reality. I will be the first to admit there is a lot of more important issues going on right now in the good ol' USA than counterfeit collector coins however this is an example not only of elected official gobbledygook but shows how really out of touch and dated a lot of the laws on the books are.

BTW I do communicate a lot with my elected officials and get the same types of responses no matter what the issue is. They always 'share my concern' but never really answer anything...

WaterSport....just curious....when a communication comes in is there a program that scans it for keywords to match up items for the body of the response? I would think so...

Just some thoughts on a Wednesday!

K

secondrepublic · May 5, 2010 12:53AM

FYI -- as a former intern in DC -- I can tell you that Senators' letters are written by interns/staffers.... a bunch of 20-somethings or college-age kids sitting at their computers, copying and pasting from prior letters send to other constituents. The Senator usually never even sees the letter; it's signed by "autopen." You would be amazed at how many of these things get sent out.

19Lyds · May 5, 2010 1:14AM

<< FYI -- as a former intern in DC -- I can tell you that Senators' letters are written by interns/staffers.... a bunch of 20-somethings or college-age kids sitting at their computers, copying and pasting from prior letters send to other constituents. The Senator usually never even sees the letter; it's signed by "autopen." You would be amazed at how many of these things get sent out. >>

So disheartening.

messydesk · May 5, 2010 1:15AM

<< I have a strong appreciation for the American historical tradition of minting antique and collector coins for our domestic coin collectors. >>

Minting antique coins for collectors? That's the new Chinese tradition that's threatening the hobby, you FOOL!

ProofCents · May 5, 2010 1:16AM

He used a lot of words to say nothing

yellowkid · May 5, 2010 1:54AM

Boilerplate reply......

LindeDad · May 5, 2010 2:12AM

And the answer was?????????????

chucknra · May 5, 2010 2:15AM

Exactly!!! Form letter. Politician's doing what politician's do best....that is why there should be a term limit on ALL seats.

lcoopie · May 5, 2010 2:24AM

the only thing they understand is the vote

PerryHall · May 5, 2010 3:10AM

<< the only thing they understand is the vote >>

If this wasn't an election year, I wonder what kind of response you would have gotten.

lcoopie · May 5, 2010 3:13AM

and he says,
"your opinion is very important to me" with a straight face

I am going to wretch

PerryHall · May 5, 2010 4:05AM

<< and he says,
"your opinion is very important to me" with a straight face

I am going to wretch >>

What he really means is "your vote is very important to me".

Manorcourtman · May 5, 2010 4:53AM

Thanks for nothing Mr. Congressman.........

DDR · May 5, 2010 10:56AM

I used to work for a Congressman in a previous life. Secondrepublic's post is exactly the way it is. Senators are deluged with correspondence; they do not have the time to respond, let alone read the volume of correspondence that floods in every day.

The head of a group, like the ANA or PNG, might be able to get a personal audience with a Congressman, or at least a staffer, however.

Answer received from my Senator regarding Counterfeit coins

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