Feds Seeking $7M Worth Of Privately-Minted 'Liberty Dollars'

[deminks]

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/04/feds_seeking_7m_worth_of_privately-minted_liberty.php

Federal prosecutors in North Carolina are attempting to obtain ownership of a stash of privately minted "Liberty Dollars" created by a man convicted last month on conspiracy and counterfeiting charges, according to the The (Spokane, Wash.) Spokesman-Review.

In March, Bernard von NotHaus, 67, was found guilty in North Carolina federal court of a scheme that prosecutors said undermined the value of the U.S. dollar. On Monday, prosecutors moved ahead with forfeiture action targeting $7 million in "Liberty Dollars" and silver bullion seized at a private mint in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

(snip)

According to the Spokesman-Review, authorities seized 7 tons of Liberty Dollar coins at the Idaho mint, including "2 tons of freshly minted 'Ron Paul' dollars," coinage stamped with the Texas representative's face.

Michel has said that von NotHaus -- who faces a sentence of up to 25 years in prison and $750,000 in fines -- will appeal the case. He is currently out on bond.

(end snip)

'freshly minted Ron Paul dollars'?

[Liberal Veteran]

1. So the response from the right will be: Oh, those wacky far-right nutjobs!

Had it been a democrat though, the response would be: "They trying to overthrow the gubmint! Terrists!"

[Adsos Letter]

2. The news just gets weirder all the time. n/t

[Art_from_Ark]

3. "Conspiracy and counterfeiting charges"?

What nonsense. Private minters have been legally making the equivalent of "Liberty dollars" for decades.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

7. Well, federal prosecutors are not that dumb. They must believe their case is solid.

But you, are, of course, smarter than them. :eyes:

[Art_from_Ark]

8. I know about coins, and you obviously don't

I've been a coin collector for 40+ years, and I have seen all sorts of this-and-that "dollars" produced by all sorts of private mints, and it's all been perfectly legal-- even one-ounce silver "rounds" that resemble actual US coins. Unless there was actual intent to produce fake US coins and circulate them as real US coins, then I don't see how the government can make a case for counterfeiting.

Basically, it seems this man was targeted because he was the founder of the National Organization for the Repeal of the Federal Reserve Act. His lawyer also seemed to be not the brightest bulb on the board-- he was supposed to call up to 100 defense witnesses, and only called 10. And instead of making his client's case for several weeks, as had been expected, he presented the case in only 4 days. If NotHaus gets a better lawyer and a change of venue, I wouldn't be surprised if he wins on appeal.

[girl gone mad]

4. If people are rejecting the dollar based on its continued weakness..

against foreign currencies, commodities, precious metals, etc., this type of action won't turn the tide.

The only sure way to strengthen a fiat currency is to raise taxes, primarily on the wealthy, and that's something our government refuses to do.

[L0oniX]

5. Is this that 2 dollar bill shit that's being advertised on tv?

[Art_from_Ark]

11. No, this is about the private minting of silver "rounds"

What "2 dollar bill shit" are you referring to?

[Mariana]

6. I wonder when other forms of bartering

will be made illegal and will subject the participants to federal charges.

[roamer65]

9. The Fed should be found guilty of undermining the dollar.

They're the ones debasing the dollar, not this right-wing nutjob.

[Art_from_Ark]

10. Agreed

Just compare what a dollar buys today, versus what it bought in 1970. That isn't the fault of people making silver "rounds".

[The Northerner]

12. I couldn't agree more

How about a real audit of the Fed for once?