Egypt Restores 176 Antiquities Smuggled To Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq And China

The coin returns symbolically from Egyptian authorities to representatives of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq and China. (Source: Ministry of Tourism and Egyptian Antiquities)

JAKARTA - Egyptian antique officials handed over collections of antique coins to representatives from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq and China on Monday.

Ambassadors and embassy diplomats from the four countries attended a ceremony at the Egyptian Museum, Cairo on Tahrir Square to receive coins, which were originally printed in their respective countries.

Mostafa Waziri, secretary general of Egypt's Supreme Council, said authorities confiscated coins, a total of 176, at various exit points, including Cairo Airport and several post offices over the past year.

Officials thwarted an attempt to smuggle coins out of Egypt for sale, he said.

"With tonight's event, we want to send an important message, namely that Egypt is not only committed to preserving its own heritage, but also the legacy of other countries," said Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Ahmed Eissa, as reported by The National News December 13.

Foreign representatives praised Egypt's efforts to return the catch. The total collection returned consisted of 133 coins from Saudi Arabia, 33 Chinese coins, six Iraqi coins and four Jordanian coins.

The minister said the handover was made in accordance with the 1970 UNESCO Convention, a signed agreement to curb the smuggling of antiques around the world, signed by Egypt in 1972. The countries whose coins were returned on Monday were also signatories to the convention.

He said large numbers of artifacts originating from abroad had been seized by Egyptian border officers.

Meanwhile, Head of Egyptian Port Center Administration Hamdi Hammam said Saudi Arabia coins originated during the reign of King Abdulaziz Al Saud and in quarter, half, and two riyals denominations.

The Iraqi coins date back to the reign of King Faisal I and Jordan's money was printed during the reign of King Hussein bin Ali and include the denomination of five and 10 piastres. One Jordanian coin also originated during the reign of King Hussein bin Talal.

Meanwhile, all coins from China were printed during the Ming Dynasty.

The coin collection will be stored in the Egyptian Museum until it is returned to its home country, the ministry of antiques said in a statement.

In 2020, Egypt handed over collections of gold and silver coins to representatives from the governments of Saudi Arabia, China and India.

It is known that in 2017, a number of coins were also returned to Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Meanwhile, in 2014, three statues were returned to Ecuador and two to Peru after being confiscated in Egypt.