I have started to notice some Sellers from China selling fake US coins. Now, they clearly tell you that they are plated reproductions so they, at least, are not trying to pass them off as original although, I'm sure that there are some that do. The Hobby Protection Act requires that ANY reproduction US coins sold to US Buyers be clearly marked "COPY", which these are not. I reported one of these to ebay a couple of weeks ago but, noticed that the same Seller is still selling the same item. The Act states: "Any person engaged in the manufacturing, or importation into the United States for introduction into or distribution in commerce, of imitation political or imitation numismatic items shall be subject to the requirements of the Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder. Any person engaged in the sale in commerce of imitation numismatic items shall be subject to the requirements of the Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder. It shall be a violation of the Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder for a person to provide substantial assistance or support to any manufacturer, importer, or seller of imitation numismatic items, or to any manufacturer or importer of imitation political items, if that person knows or should have known that the manufacturer, importer, or seller is engaged in any practice that violates the Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder." Providing a marketplace for these items could certainly be seen as "providing substantial assistance". Ebay could be on the hook if this continues. I hope that they will take action on their own. I guess, if it continues, I will have to start reporting this stuff to the FTC and let them deal with it.
