Greifenberger shipped $2,900 worth of gold and platinum coins about 100 miles south to Sarasota via FedEx, which lost his coins and has since refused to reimburse him for their value.

The Memphis, Tenn., company has produced for Greifenberger a long list of "prohibited items." No. 1 on the list: collectible coins. Under its "terms and conditions," FedEx refuses to insure prohibited items.

Greifenberger said he told the attendant exactly what was inside the package, so it could be insured.

"Why did he take my money for insurance if he couldn't insure it?" asked Greifenberger, who started collecting coins after the stock market ate through his other investments.

"It's too difficult for us to figure out the value of what's being shipped," (FedEx said. "This is not going to be insured; we're not going to be held liable for this."

So, unless a collector has a coin dealer with a special shipping deal nearby, the U.S. Postal Service is the only option.

FedEx has agreements they work out with the dealers, but those arrangements are made in advance,

http://www.sptimes.com/2003/09/14/Hernando/FedEx_policy_leaves_c.shtml