You may remember Bernard von NotHaus, purveyor of the gold/silver backed “Liberty Dollar,” who was convicted of making, possessing, and selling his own coins, as well as conspiracy against the United States. The lead attorney on the case made it a point to refer to Mr. NotHaus’ dealing as a special form of domestic terrorism.

Since the coins NotHaus was selling have been deemed to violate Federal counterfeiting statutes, they are now considered contraband by the US Attorney and Secret Service. Coin World explains:

Liberty Dollars held by collectors may be subject to seizure as contraband by federal law enforcement, officials with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Secret Service said Aug. 24.

Statements by officials for those two federal law enforcement agencies seem to reverse the position taken in comments released from the United States Attorney’s Office in Charlotte, N.C., and published in Coin World in April, that mere possession of Liberty Dollars did not constitute a violation of any federal statute.

That position has apparently changed, although officials of the U.S. Secret Service — which would be the federal agency likely charged with executing any possible seizures — would not provide any definitive comments concerning under what circumstances Liberty Dollars would be seized.

…

Kessler [Secret Service Representative] could not provide a blanket position the Secret Service would take toward those owning Liberty Dollars, whether one piece or significantly more.

He said if a Secret Service agent witnessed something considered to be contraband, such as Liberty Dollars, they would be duty-bound to confiscate it.

If VonHaus was considered a domestic terrorist for violating counterfeiting statutes, you can be assured that those who purchased these silver and gold coins will now be classified as the same, because trading these coins in any capacity will in itself be an act of knowingly passing counterfeit currency.

If you’ve got any of these coins in your possession, chances are that the US government knows who you are and where you live. While no confiscation policy has been overtly applied to owners of the coins, we can be assured that if the government has the opportunity to do so, they will take everything they can, just as they did with $70 million in double eagle gold coins seized from Langbord family.

Our advice to concerned terrorists in possession of these coins is to either get a shovel, get them out of the United States (and even then you may not be safe under international treaties), or head to a smelter.

Hat tip CT