Let us not Forget

The battle between citizens who want to collect and preserve the past and the archeologists hots up. Peter Tompa takes on the archeobloggers ('Don't Worry...Says the Archaeo-Blogger', CPO Sunday, February 22, 2015) who slyly try to persuade that there is no need to worry about the upcoming renewal of the Italy MOU. We are told that "one can't assume the State Department-- egged on by their allies in the archaeological lobby-- will use the upcoming renewal of the Italian MOU as an excuse to extend import restrictions to Roman Imperial coins".

- Do such people have the best interests of collectors in mind?
- Do they really speak for anyone other than themselves?  Of course not.

Mr Tompa sagely reminds us that the State Department seems unwilling to clarify the issue.

And let's not forget-- on two prior occasions-- Cyprus in 2007 and Italy in 2011-- requests for clarification were either met with double talk or ignored.  And guess what happened?  Requests for extension of MOUs were turned into a basis for new restrictions on coins. Let's not let that happen again, particularly where Roman Imperial coins are concerned.

Respected California professional numismatist Dave Welsh makes the same point: 'Collectors Beware: Italian MOU Renewal Pending' Sunday, February 22, 2015 with a section in the commentary on 'knowing your enemy'.