Attempt to smuggle 426 ancient coins, documents thwarted

CAIRO - 23 August 2017: The Cairo airport authorities has foiled an attempt to smuggle 426 ancient coins, papers, documents and financial bonds that date back to the Alawiyya dynasty era, head of the airport's central agency of archaeological units Ahmed el Rawi announced.

The seized ancient pieces were in the possession of an Egyptian passenger who was travelling to Saudi Arabia, where he was intending to sell them at an exhibition, Rawi said in press statements Wednesday.

Meanwhile, general manager of the archaeological units center at Cairo airport Hamdy Hammam said a relevant committee was formed to inspect the seized coins and documents.

The committee unveiled that most of the coins date back to the Alawiyya dynasty era, he added.

The coins included 25 from the Ottoman era, 50 from Sultan Hussein Kamel era, 74 from King Fuad I era, 248 from King Farouk era, three Saudi coins from King Abdulaziz al Saud era in addition to two Palestinian coins that had been minted before the year 1948, Rawi said.

The official further indicated that 24 financial bonds, along with papers and documents, dating back to the Alawiyya dynasty era were also held until investigations are finalized.