Greece returns 1,055 ancient coins to Turkey

Greece has returned a total of 1,055 ancient coins which were illegally excavated and smuggled out of  Turkey, in the first such repatriation between the two countries.

The coins were seized by customs at the Kipi border crossing on the Greek-Turkish land border in July 2019.

The hoard comprised 61 silver staters (didrachms), minted by cities in Pamphylia, Cilicia, Ionia, Cyprus, as well as Aegina and Milos, and 994 silver Athenian tetradrachms, including one in copper, which were minted from the early to late 5th century BC.

The handover ceremony, which took place at the Numismatic Museum in Athens, was attended by Culture Minister Lina Mendoni and her Turkish counterpart, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy.

[InTime News]

"The protection of cultural heritage is achieved only through cooperation, mutual assistance and mutual understanding between peoples and states....