Greece returns ancient coin hoard to Turkey in landmark repatriation

·

Greece has returned 1,055 ancient coins, including 61 silver staters, to Turkey after they were confiscated by Greek customs in 2019.

The coins, dated to the 5th century BC, originated from regions such as Pamphylia, Cilicia, and Athens.

During a ceremony at the Numismatic Museum in Athens, Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni and her Turkish counterpart Mehmet Nuri Ersoy highlighted the importance of international collaboration in combating illegal trafficking of cultural artefacts.

coins greece turkey2
Greece and Turkey’s Ministers of Culture at the coin exchange ceremony.

Both sides confirmed the coins were illegally trafficked from Turkey to Greece, and their return complies with the 1970 UNESCO Convention and a bilateral agreement signed in 2013.

Ersoy praised the repatriation and expressed hope for further cooperation, including the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Athens.

Source: AMNA.

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Second Greek Youth Diaspora Symposium held in Athens

The 2nd Conference of Young People of the Greek Diaspora – Greek Youth Diaspora Symposium, concluded its proceedings in Athens.

Pope Leo XIV in Turkey: Dialogue and the renewed push for a unified Easter date

Pope Leo XIV’s first apostolic journey to Istanbul marked a historic moment in Catholic–Orthodox relations, bringing three days of prayer.

Federal Court rules against Jason Karas in multimillion-dollar partnership dispute

The Federal Court has found Adelaide lawyer Jason Karas engaged in a “dishonest and fraudulent design” to establish a global legal venture.

Election results for GOCNSW Board 2025–2027 confirmed

The Greek Orthodox Community of New South Wales (GOCNSW) held its Board election on Sunday, November 30, 2025.

Melbourne Food & Wine Festival serves Greek heritage at World’s Longest Lunch

The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival will run from 20 to 29 March, offering a 10-day program of 200 events.

You May Also Like

Begona Untold Stories: ‘I was not one of the brides. I enjoyed the journey’

Despina Sahinidis travelled alongside 900 brides on the old Spanish ship Begona.

$1.5 billion housing project planned for Marrickville in Sydney’s inner west

The momentum for build-to-rent projects in Sydney is gaining traction, highlighted by a $1.5 billion development proposed for the inner west.

Summer soundtrack: The ultimate guide to Greek concerts and festivals in 2025

Wherever you are in the country, The Greek Herald has the inside scoop on must-see performances to catch during your summer escape.