Uncle Sam strikes again.

I B Hankering's Avatar
Langbord Family Loses Lawsuit Over $80 Million Gold Coins; Currency Belongs To Uncle Sam, Judge Says

The family of Philadelphia coin dealer Israel Switt hoped to cash in on the $80 million fortune they discovered when they drilled open a safety deposit box that had belonged to their father, uncovering 10 rare gold coins. But a judge ruled Wednesday that the coins belong to Uncle Sam. . . .

ABC News reports that Switt's daughter, Joan Langbord, gave the coins she'd found to the Philadelphia Mint for authentification at which point they were seized by the government without any compensation for the family.

Citing another seizure of the 1933 double eagle, the Langbords filed a lawsuit against the government, claiming that it had previously split the proceeds with another owner after the coin sold for $7.59 million in 2002, and that the coins they owned had escaped the Mint legitimately through a "window of opportunity" between March 15 and April 5, 1933.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/06/family-loses-lawsuit-gold-coins-belongs-to-uncle-sam_n_1862151.html?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-nb%7Cdl3%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D 202636



The constitutionality of FDR's Executive Order 6102 seizing gold in private hands has never been established by the court. Furthermore, EO 6102 has expired. This seizure is yet another abrogation of citizens' rights.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/richards...s-ban-on-gold/

http://mises.org/daily/3056




JD Barleycorn's Avatar
Government big enough to give you anything you want is big enough to take all you have.


Accordingly, if I found a bottle of fine old sour mash that was distilled in 1930 and worth $13,000, the government could seize it because it was produced during the time it was against the law to produce it.
Accordingly, if I found a bottle of fine old sour mash that was distilled in 1930 and worth $13,000, the government could seize it because it was produced during the time it was against the law to produce it. Originally Posted by JD Barleycorn
If you are stupid enough to raise the issue in the first place, the Feds should seize the bottle and then fine you an additional $13k for being so stupid.
JD Barleycorn's Avatar
So Tex you approve of what the government has done...you might as well turn in your Texas citizenship.
So Tex you approve of what the government has done...you might as well turn in your Texas citizenship. Originally Posted by JD Barleycorn
The only reference I made was to you being stupid enough to turn your hooch over to the Feds.
Guest123018-4's Avatar
Yep Bigtex believes the government is right no matter what.
Yep Bigtex believes the government is right no matter what. Originally Posted by The2Dogs
You got it all wrong 2Pups! I believe you are "right no matter what."

You are so Far Right, you are damn near a southpaw!
JD Barleycorn's Avatar
You know, I never said one word about turning over my hypothetical bottle. It is scary that you assume that government has the power to find out what I had.
BigLouie's Avatar
Here is the rest of the story in case any of you are really interested. Swift's father had in fact STOLEN the gold coins from the mint. Legally they did NOT belong to the family, they belonged to the government from whom they were STOLEN.
JD Barleycorn's Avatar
http://www.inquisitr.com/324028/rare...t-judge-rules/

The judge determined the coins were most likely stolen. They didn't prove anything. They just assumed that since they couldn't find a paper trail then they were stolen. Isn't this the wrong way the law is supposed to work? We think you raped that girl but we have no DNA or witnesses. She said she was raped and you were the closest. So we have to assume that is was you.
BigLouie's Avatar
The court found that the Mint kept meticulous records of each purchase and there were no such records for these coins. The family could not produce purchase documentation of any sort. Hence the ruling.
JD Barleycorn's Avatar
It was always the practice in the US to prove guilt and not to assume guilt because of lack of paperwork. I didn't read about any proof.
CuteOldGuy's Avatar
Big Louie will always take the side of the government in any situation. It's part of being a Democrat. Government is always right. If the government thinks you're guilty, you're guilty.
trynagetlaid's Avatar
How the hell can gold coins leave the Mint through a window of opportunity? I'd sooner believe they sprouted wings and flew out of there.
CuteOldGuy's Avatar