83 Roman Coins Repatriated from the United States to Türkiye

Eighty-three Roman-era coins minted in Anatolia during the 3rd and 4th centuries AD have been returned to Turkey following a joint effort between the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The repatriation was formally announced at a ceremony held at the Republic Museum in Ankara.

Minted in Anatolia, Bearing Imperial History

The coins, seized in the United States in 2015, were identified as belonging to the reigns of Emperors Maximianus, Constantine I, Constantine II, and Arcadius. Numismatic studies confirmed they were struck at mints across Anatolia, carrying not only monetary value but also political and military imprints of a turbulent period in the Roman Empire.

Bilateral Agreement in Action

Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Gökhan Yazgı underlined that the return of these cultural assets was made possible through the 2021 bilateral agreement between Türkiye and the U.S. on the prevention of illicit trafficking of cultural property:

“This repatriation is a concrete example of how effective and productive the agreement has been. Thanks to this strong partnership, the process was conducted swiftly and transparently, ensuring the safe return of our heritage.”

Brian Stimmler, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, highlighted that the restitution exemplifies the long-term cooperation between the two countries and “sets a model that transcends borders and strengthens both nations.”

Thousands of Artifacts Returned Since 2002

Since 2002, more than 13,000 cultural artifacts have been repatriated to Türkiye. Yazgı stressed that this number is not just a statistic, but “a tangible achievement of international collaboration and shared responsibility.”

A Model for International Cooperation

Experts view the return of the Roman coins as further proof of how bilateral agreements can serve as global models for cultural heritage protection. The coins, once hidden abroad, now once again form part of Anatolia’s archaeological record, contributing to a broader understanding of the region’s Roman past.