Regarding eBay's apparent banning of all Cuban coin and banknotes,Ralph Lanham writes:

Ken Barr writes:

As a Cuban American and United States Citizen, I would like to thank you for your eBay's enforcement of our laws with regard to the Trading with the Enemy Act (and subsequent laws on embargoed goods) recently implemented by eBay as the "Embargoed goods and prohibited countries policy". It is truly reassuring to know that such a well known corporation as eBay will stand by the laws of our land.

I have some concerns and comments about the inclusion of all of the Cuban items. This topic has to be broken down into First Republic and Second Republic coins, stamps, and paper money. First Republic refers to items minted in the United States prior to the embargo in 1963, while Second Republic refers to items minted after the embargo in 1963.

First, it was a little surprising that this policy was implemented without any advanced notice that would have given us an opportunity to question it before it took effect. The first I learned of the policy was on the day it took effect, April 9, 2013, as I attempted to list additional First Republic coins after selling seven other First Republic coins without controversy.

In the words of a Chinese Proverb that says "Do not remove a fly from a friend'sforehead with a hatchet", this policy, with respect to Cuba at least, is using a hatchet to remove a fly from the friendly foreheads of loyal sellers, buyers, and collectors of First Republic coins, stamps, and paper money.

I truly hope eBay can find a way to ensure compliance with the law while permitting us to sell and buy the objects of our beloved hobby without fear of being labeled outlaws because we love our First Republic coinage, paper money, and stamps.

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:EBAY BANS LISTINGS OF CUBAN COINS AND BANKNOTES(www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v16n17a10.html)