ANA Call To Action re: Greek MOU
giganews
Numismatic Material
http://admin.listpilot.net/mpower/showHtml.do?ac=money&id=5mzqpk4_7f6b548a
Dear ANA member,
The numismatic community needs your help. The government of Greece has
requested in a proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that the United
States restrict importation of "Greek cultural artifacts from the Neolithic
period until the mid-18th century." Coins will likely be included in the
restricted list of objects. There will be an October 12 public meeting of
the Cultural Property Advisory Committee (CPAC) to discuss this issue. The
period for submitting comments that will influence CPAC's recommendation
ends on September 22, at 11:59 P.M. EDT. Please make your voice heard
regarding this important issue.
The proposed MOU would likely restrict Greek coins based on type, and
countless collector coins, from ancient to early modern, could be at stake.
This request follows a proposed Italian MOU, and could be an indication that
other countries are waiting with similar requests, should the present one be
approved. Numismatic researchers may be adversely affected as well, as they
will have to depend on museum coin collections, which often involve numerous
expenses.
Thanks to the response from the ANA and other organizations, there are signs
that coins may have been exempted from the Italian MOU. However, the
alarming majority of comments in regards to the Greek MOU are in favor of
import restrictions. Ancient Coin Collectors Guild Executive Director Wayne
G. Sayles is concerned. "The situation is grave, and the actions of today
set precedents for actions of the future," he said. "We cannot afford to be
complacent."
The responsibility to shift the balance is on us. Please take this
opportunity to voice your opinions by accessing the link below and following
the instructions. Thank you for your efforts in supporting the hobby!
Submit your comments here:
http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#submitComment?R=0900006480b3b3c6
Posted to the list by:
Dave Welsh
Unidroit-L Listowner
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Unidroit-L