U.S. Repatriates Coins to Cyprus

News February 19, 2020

(U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
SHARE:
Cyprus Coin
(U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND—Patch.com reports that ancient coins seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents in Baltimore more than ten years ago were handed over to the government of Cyprus at a recent ceremony in Washington, D.C. The collection includes Roman coins dating to between 81 B.C. and 217 A.D. as well as Chinese coins issued between 400 B.C. and 220 A.D. Agents discovered the coins in an express package sent from London and seized them when the recipient of the package did not have proper documentation from Cyprus to authorize the import of the coins. The delay in repatriating the coins was the result of a legal battle with the coin collector. To read about one of the largest Roman coin hoards ever found, go to "Seaton Down Hoard," one of ARCHAEOLOGY's Top 10 Discoveries of 2014.

  • Letter from Ireland January/February 2020

    The Sorrows of Spike Island

    Millions were forced to flee during the Great Famine­—some of those left behind were condemned to Ireland’s most notorious prison

    Read Article
    (Courtesy Barra O’Donnabhain)
  • Artifacts January/February 2020

    Bronze and Iron Age Drinking Vessels

    Read Article
    (Alexander Frisch, Museen der Stadt Regensburg)
  • Digs & Discoveries January/February 2020

    The Man in Prague Castle

    Read Article
    (Prague Castle excavations, Institute of Archaeology, Prague)
  • Digs & Discoveries January/February 2020

    As Told by Herodotus

    Read Article
    (Christoph Gerigk © Franck Goddio/Hilti Foundation, franckgoddio.org)