Display 1933 gold $20s at Denver ANA show

After 12 years, the Langbord family’s attempt to regain possession of 10 1933 $20 gold pieces has come to an end.

The Supreme Court said it will not hear an appeal.

The Aug. 1, 2016, ruling for the government by the full Third Circuit Court of Appeals is now the final word.

What happens to these rare pieces will be on the minds of coin collectors.

May I suggest that they be put on display at the American Numismatic Association convention in August in Denver?

It was at a prior convention in that city that the Mint first put these famous coins out for public viewing in 2008.

Why not again?

Unlike nine years ago, the government now has won its case. Its view that the 1933 $20 gold coins were never legally issued and they have always been the property of the federal government carried the day.

Tell that story at the convention.

The rule of law has triumphed.

Show us a magnanimous victor.

Let coin collectors once again marvel at this valuable trove of coins.

The one legal specimen that exists outside government hands sold for $7.59 million in 2002.

After a short ANA convention appearance, an option would be to put the coins on permanent public display somewhere.

They could be shown as a group at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., or at the Philadelphia Mint itself.

Perhaps they could be split up for display in various locations around the country.

The ANA has a museum in Colorado Springs, Colo.

A 1933 $20 would look great beside the organization’s 1913 Liberty Head nickel and 1804 dollar.

The American Numismatic Society in New York City would also be a fitting location for one.

I am sure collectors can compile a list of appropriate locations for all 10.

Now that the government has won, the worst thing that could happen is that these coins be destroyed, or locked away forever unseen in Fort Knox, Ky.

The government has the right to do anything it wants with the coins, but I hope it will do something that is to the benefit of the wider public.

Anyone with suggestions can send me an email at david.harper@fwmedia.com.

Buzz blogger Dave Harper has twice won the Numismatic Literary Guild Award for Best Blog and is editor of the weekly newspaper "Numismatic News."