In a significant step to combat the illegal trafficking of cultural heritage items, the Cyprus customs department on Friday handed over two ancient coins to the department of antiquities.
The two coins were discovered during routine checks of packages at the mail sorting centre in 2022 and 2023. After consultation with the department of antiquities, the coins were seized and confiscated by customs officials.
The first coin, a silver stater, was found on January 31, 2022, in a parcel originating from the United Kingdom. Dating back to around 410–390 BC, it bears the image of Kherei, a ruler of Lycia. The coin was confiscated after the recipient failed to provide the necessary documentation to prove its legal ownership.
The second coin, an ancient Cypriot piece from the Ptolemaic period, was located on January 10, 2023, also in a parcel from the UK. According to a handwritten note from the sender, it was discovered in a riverbed in Famagusta in 1968. The coin, dating approximately from 310–30 BC, lacked the required export licence under the antiquities law and is believed to have been unlawfully removed from Cyprus.
Both coins are considered rare and invaluable due to their historical significance. The stater offers a glimpse into the ancient civilisation of Lycia, while the Cypriot coin highlights the rich heritage of Cyprus under the Ptolemaic dynasty.
The customs department and the department of antiquities have emphasised the importance of their collaboration in preserving these irreplaceable artefacts. The thorough examination, conservation and documentation of the coins by specialists ensure their proper registration and future display to the public.
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