Originally Posted by DesertNomad

I am American, but resident abroad (for the past 8 years). Let's assume they were acquired while I was living overseas and now I just wish to store them in the US. I tend to think they are currency with a value of $500 CAD since they are in fact legal tender for that amount and could theoretically be spent as such in Canada. Can they be currency and goods at the same time?

If I bring in $9999.99 in pennies, the value of the copper and zinc is not relevant... why should it be with gold? It is interesting that US customs has no consistent answer for this when you ask.