Baltimore Illegal Coin Import case Drags on, and on

On August 8, the Baltimore Illegal Coin Import Stunt "test case" launched in 2009 by the ACCG (ostensibly on behalf of collectors who want the 'freedom" to buy illegally exported coins rather than those with paperwork proving licit export) was thrown out of court by Circuit Court judge Catherine Blake. The ACCG Board of Directors authorized an appeal of the ruling and on September 20, 2011 the Washington firm of Bailey and Ehrenberg, PLLC filed a Notice of Appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. Whoopee, eh? I bet all those collectors hungry to get their hands on illegally exported dugup ancient coins are over the moon that they have the ACCG fighting their corner. The rest of us are left shaking our heads in bewilderment and sadness. Problem is, it seems to me (and of course I am no lawyer) that two of the points they raise have no relation whatsoever to the grounds of the dismissal which they are appealing. Is this a real appeal or just one done 'for show' to make no-questions-asked collectors feel that all the money and hope they've invested in the ACCG are well spent? At least when it's thrown out, everybody concerned can play the part of the victim. These people seem to like playing the part of the victim, it's obviously easier than pulling their fingers out and getting on with cleaning up the market.


Vignette: Why not just settle for selling legally exported coins? What's the point of a lawsuit to enable the selling of illegally exported ones if you only sell legally exported coins?