Updating this chapter of the thread. I purchased this ASM1 from MCS, and then started the process of verifying whether or not it's a US copy. Conan at MCS was very helpful in this, and notified me that CGC says it is indeed a US copy.
UNFORTUNATELY, while I requested that this copy be returned to me raw IF IT IS A US COPY, so I could see for myself, it was returned in a new case (no Newton Rings fwiw) without any note assuring it is a US Copy.
I would have hoped that since all identifying marks on the outside was cut out, the label would have addressed that detail. Aside from Conan's confirmation via CGC (I don't think he saw the US Indicia personally, so he's going by CGC's word), I find myself pretty much exactly where I started.
So after several months, I still need to decide how I want to handle this. I don't sell comics, but IF I had to sell this, I'd be lucky to get FMV as is because there simply is no way to be sure, and I couldn't blame anyone for being cautious. I can open it myself (recorded, of course), but it's been suggested that I bring it to a convention where CGC is set up, and do it there (also recorded).
If the label had simply said, "US Copy", I'd feel much better about it.
And now we're back where we startedHere we go round again
… Do it again