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.

“The protection of cultural heritage is achieved only through cooperation, mutual assistance and mutual understanding between peoples and states. Respect and protection of cultural heritage constitute a national responsibility and a global moral commitment. We are all jointly responsible for the preservation of our culture and our historical memory,” Mendoni said.

Separate reports by the Greek and Turkish authorities found that the coins had been smuggled from Turkey to Greece, she added.

Ersoy spoke of a “very important repatriation”, the first of its kind, that was the fruit of “bilateral cooperation.”

“Our two countries should jointly combat smuggling and have close ties,” he stressed.

Greek and Turkish experts determined that the coins were part of a stock hidden in Asia Minor between the late 5th and early 4th century BCE, she added.

Referring to the Greek request for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures, the Turkish minister said that “we want, with all our hearts, that they be repatriated and that the Greek people have them, because they belong to them.”

Source: ekathimerini.com