From opencurrency.com:
Cape Cod C Shells Inc aka Cape Cod C Shell Community Barter is a newly established barter community dedicated to keeping the wealth within a community. The issuance of the first proprietary medallion of Cape Cod C Shells marks a milestone in the company’s business plan. Barter medallions are becoming more popular daily due to the efforts of the American open Currency Standard (AOCS). Merchants within the C Shell community agree to accept AOCS approved medallions in trade for goods and services. It is expected the C Shell medallion will receive high recognition within the collector arena, as well. The medallion can be seen at LetsTradeCShells.com.
A Cape Cod C Shell is a .999 fine copper round minted with a shell on one side and a silhouette of Cape Cod on the other. More than that, it represents the return to older ways and forms of money. Barter has existed for well over 2000 years. Historically, when a metal has been selected for “currency” it has always been copper, silver or gold. The Eastern seaboard Indian tribes traditional form of currency was the Quahog clam shell. When cut and polished into pieces called Wampum, it was universally recognized in the Indian communities as currency. The combining of these two ancient forms of currency led to the selection of the C Shell theme.
From the Official “Cape Cad C Shell” Website:
It is the mission of Cape Cod C Shells to provide the public with a means of keeping wealth within the community. We believe a bartering system should be comprised of both merchants and consumers. We help keep the wealth within the area by providing a tangible means of trade and reducing the risk of world economic pressures on our community.
Thumbnail Image: By Phillip Capper from Wellington, New Zealand (Flickr) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Jack Wagner is the Editor of The Free Independent-Sun. Born in Sonoma, California and currently residing in San Francisco, Jack set up The Free Independent-Sun on July 4th, 2009, after sleeping in and not making his usual trip up north for his hometown festivities. He figured he'd do something revolutionary to make up for it. In the Summer of 2010 Jack registered Seraf Media with the City and County of San Francisco as a Sole-Proprietorship. He is dedicated to articulating the finer points of the Revolution in order to bring about a Global Renaissance and Abundant World Economy. He also isn't afraid to get his hands dirty transplanting succulents. 
Mr. Kahre was using coins minted by the United States of America. His troubles came from the IRS and the value placed on the coins. His employees agreed to accept the coins in payment of services rendered. The IRS termed it illegal. If memory serves me, the onslaught by the agents of the Federal Reserve Banking System (IRS) took years of different approaches by the government. The scare tactics of Sic Semper Tyrannis come straight from a government agent. The government wants us to be afraid of it. For the fear they feel regarding the education the American Public is receiving from Ron Paul, The Mises Institute etc. has them on the run and their fearmongers troll the internet for an opportunity to spread their fear.
Thank you,
Robert Walker
I think the problem was they valued the coins at face value (a Silver Dollar), and that is what the IRS tried to prosecute them on; tax evasion.
It looks like the employees never got convicted: http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2007/10/366287.shtml
But Kahre got 15 Years: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/nov/17/businessman-robert-kahre-sentenced-tax-fraud-schem/
This could probably be avoided by reporting the payments in the value of the metals. They basically got him for tax evasion. That is how the got Capone.
Lesson; pay your taxes, and vote Ron Paul.
My name is Bob Barker and I am the founder of Cape Cod C Shells.
Thank you for posting this information. I spend a lot of my time educating the public on the reasons prior efforts have failed. The Cape Cod C Shell has nothing in common with the US Dollar. What backing there is for the C Shell is held in the metal it is made of. The backing for the US Dollar is nothing but the word of the government. When the US Dollar fails and it will, Community Currencies will be there to provide a means of commerce in the interim or perhaps permanently.
Robert Kahre – convicted, 15 years in prison.
Bernard von Nothaus – convicted, 15 years in prison.
All I gotta say is, good luck, Cape Cod C Shell Community Bartering! Hope your plans don’t end up with prison rape!
Here is an article about why the Liberty Dollar got in trouble, or rather, how they made themselves an easy target:
http://www.opencurrency.com/liberty-dollars-arrogance-ends-in-federal-guilty-verdict/
Here is a quote on why AOCS (and C Shells) are different: