France agrees to return 8,500 seized ancient coins to Türkiye

French authorities are preparing to transfer over 8,500 ancient coins to Türkiye, culminating a three-year investigation that led to their seizure, the international media reports said.

The dismantling of an artifact smuggling network by the French National Directorate of Intelligence and Customs Investigations was disclosed in a report on the 20 Minutes website.

In a raid conducted in 2022 at a location in France, authorities confiscated a total of 8,597 coins dating back to the sixth century from Anatolia. These coins were discovered concealed in boxes scattered throughout the premises.

It is suspected that the individuals involved in the smuggling operation sold over 7,000 historical artifacts out of a total of 15,000 items, valued at approximately 1.5 million euros ($1.6 million).

The orchestrators of the smuggling network have been apprehended in Türkiye, while the individuals captured at the French raid location will face trial.

According to the report, the ancient artifacts confiscated by French authorities at the residence will be repatriated to Türkiye through diplomatic channels.