Türkiye Welcomes Back 83 Ancient Roman Coins Stolen in Smuggling Bid
Türkiye has welcomed back a significant piece of its cultural heritage. A total of 83 ancient Roman coins, smuggled abroad, have been returned to their homeland. The coins, dating back to the 3rd and 4th centuries, bear witness to Roman imperial history in Anatolia.
The coins, seized in the United States in 2015, were determined to have been illicitly taken from Türkiye. They were returned swiftly and transparently under a bilateral agreement signed in 2021 between Türkiye and the U.S. to combat cultural property trafficking. Among the returned artifacts are coins struck in Anatolian mints during the reigns of Roman Emperors Maximianus, Constantine I, Constantine II, and Arcadius.
Notably, coins minted during Constantine's reign are among the returned pieces. Constantine, the first Christian emperor, played a pivotal role in the political and military dynamics of the period. The coins are important cultural assets that help tell the story of this era. This is not the first time Türkiye has recovered smuggled artifacts. Earlier this year, a headless bronze statue believed to depict Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius was also repatriated.
The return of these 83 ancient Roman coins is a testament to the commitment of both Türkiye and the U.S. in the fight against cultural smuggling. These artifacts, with their rich historical significance, are now safely back where they belong, contributing to Türkiye's cultural heritage and providing insights into its past.
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