Peter Tompa summarizes the first round of releases of information under the FOIA lawsuit launched by ACCG, IAPN and PNG.

The State Department has made its initial disclosures in response to the Freedom of Information Act lawsuit brought by the ACCG, the International Association of Professional Numismatists and the Professional Numismatists Guild. By our count, in that initial disclosure, the State Department released 34 documents in full, 15 in redacted form and has withheld 21 documents. Six documents have also been held for further consultation with another agency before possible release.

The State Department produced several documents that are already publicly available, including the Cyprus MOU and information already up on the State Department Cultural Property Protection web site. Nonetheless, the State Department did also release some relevant documents. These included an “action memo” evidencing the decision to impose import restrictions on ancient coins of Cypriot type. While it is heavily redacted, it does suggest that the decision was approved by the proper decision making authority, Assistant Secretary Dina Powell.

That said, given the redactions, it remains unclear whether or not Ms. Powell was fully briefed about CPAC’s recommendations on extending import restrictions to ancient coins of Cypriot types. While the CPAC report was also produced, it was only produced in heavily redacted form. As a result, it is impossible to ascertain whether CPAC’s recommendations were made known to the decision maker or not. (more…)

An online auction of ancient coins will be held in August 2008 to raise funds for ACCG legal initiatives.

An Ancient Coin Collectors Guild benefit auction is currently being organized to raise funds for anticipated legal expenses in opposition to State Department imposed import restrictions on ancient coins. The online sale, closing on August 17, 2008, will be hosted on the Vauction site as a fund raiser for anticipated legal expenses. Individuals wishing to donate coins for this sale may contact Wayne G. Sayles, ACCG Executive Director by telephone at 417-679-2142 or by email at director@accg.us for details. A goal of 150 lots has been established and some exceptional coins have already been pledged. All donations are welcome. Coins of lesser grade or value may be combined into multiple coin lots. All donations should be arranged as early as possible, but not later than June 15, 2008 in order to provide time for proper cataloging and processing.

Arrangements are being made to exhibit the benefit sale lots at the American Numismatic Association convention in Baltimore from July 30th through August 3rd. Specific lot viewing information will be posted on this site and in various announcements prior to the convention. The sale will also be previewed in a special pre-auction viewing section at the Vauction site http://www.vauctions.com with all lots being professionally photographed and cataloged. This is an excellent opportunity for all members and non-member supporters of the ACCG to demonstrate their support for the hobby in a way that is perhaps less taxing than cash donations. (more…)