U.S. Sends 83 Smuggled Roman-Era Coins Back to Türkiye

(MENAFN) A total of 83 ancient Roman coins, illicitly smuggled out of Türkiye, have been successfully returned from the United States, Turkish officials confirmed on Sunday.

The coins, which date back to the reigns of Roman emperors Maximianus, Constantine I, Constantine II, and Arcadius, were initially confiscated by U.S. authorities in 2015. Their repatriation comes in the wake of a 2021 agreement between Washington and Ankara aimed at protecting cultural heritage and curbing the trafficking of antiquities.

In a formal ceremony held in Ankara, Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gokhan Yazgi, received the artifacts from Brian Stimmler, charge d’affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy.

Yazgi praised the swift, transparent, and efficient process of returning the coins, emphasizing their significant historical value as vital markers of the Roman Empire’s political and military history. The coins, minted in Anatolia during the 3rd and 4th centuries, offer key insights into the era.

Since 2002, Türkiye has managed to recover over 13,000 smuggled artifacts, Yazgi noted.

“This cooperation sets an important example for the international community,” he said, underscoring that joint efforts with the U.S. would continue to grow and strengthen.

In his remarks, Stimmler commended the collaboration between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Investigations unit, Turkish law enforcement, and the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, stating that the return of these coins is a testament to the enduring partnership between the two nations.

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