Another repatriation of ancient artifacts is to be added in the long list of international police operations which have led to combating illicit trade of cultural goods. This time, the news comes from Italy. The Italian Ministry of Culture will return to Greece a total of 80 ancient coins, dated between the 5th and 2nd centuries BC. These coins (79 of them silver and one bronze) were initially recovered in Halkidiki (Northern Greece).

The Italian authorities had seized the ancient artifacts in 2008 and after carrying out a detailed inspection, contacted the Greek authorities in order to arrange the repatriation.

Italy currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union and has decided to hold a special ceremony during the informal EU Culture Ministry Council in Turin (23-24.09). In this manner, the two Culture Ministers Dario Franceschini and Kostas Tasoulas are seizing the opportunity, on one hand to commemorate the repatriation and on the other hand to bring attention to illicit trade of cultural goods and its repercussions on the countries’ legacy.

See also: Ancient Coins Returning Home & 8,000 Neolithic Antiquities Find Their Way Home & Getty Museum Returns Antiquities to Greece & Cyprus Looted Relics Return Home