(MENAFN) Türkiye has recovered 83 Roman-era coins that were illegally taken from the country and later seized in the United States, officials announced on Sunday.

The coins, dating back to the rule of emperors Maximianus, Constantine I, Constantine II, and Arcadius, were confiscated in the US in 2015. Their return was made possible under a 2021 cultural property protection agreement between Washington and Ankara, designed to combat the illicit trade in antiquities.

During a ceremony in Ankara, Türkiye’s Deputy Culture and Tourism Minister Gokhan Yazgi formally received the artifacts from Brian Stimmler, the US Embassy’s charge d’affaires ad interim. Yazgi emphasized that the return process was carried out “swiftly, transparently and efficiently,” stressing the importance of the coins as valuable insights into the Roman Empire’s political and military history. He noted that they had been minted in Anatolia during the 3rd and 4th centuries.

According to officials, Türkiye has successfully retrieved more than 13,000 smuggled artifacts since 2002. “This cooperation sets an important example for the international community,” Yazgi stated, adding that collaboration with the United States would continue to expand.

Stimmler also commended the joint efforts of US Homeland Security Investigations, Turkish law enforcement, and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in securing the coins’ return.

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