Missed Italian Opportunity

Socialist Italians ignore US needs

In Numismaster and World Coin News, there is a useful summary by Richard Giedroyc on the extension of the Italian MOU.  Meanwhile, the anti-collecting clique in the archaeological blogosphere are once again disingenuously claiming that opposition to the MOU means support for the trade in "looted and stolen coins."

This is not the case at all.  As Mr. Giedroyc's article clearly sets forth, the concern is that as applied by US Customs, restrictions ban import of coins lawfully on markets abroad, including within Italy itself. But if they are legally on the market in Italy, why can I not buy them with certification of that fact? The US ancient coins market is one of the biggest in the world, well worth the dealers of a small European country making the effort to accommodate and reassure. I am sure nobody buying coins here wants to buy illegal goods.  I cannot see why the Italian numismatic trade associations do not negotiate with US Customs an acceptable form of certification that the coins they sell are legally on the market in Italy, and have been exported from there in accordance with European law. That way they will pass through US border controls without a glitch and also collectors can have peace of mind about the items they purchase and need not fear Federal overreach, waking up one morning to find the FBI on their doorstep asking to see their collection. Why can the Italians not see this?