9 archaeological coins, brass candlestick confiscated at Cairo International Airport

CAIRO – 6 January 2022: The archaeological unit at Cairo International Airport seized 9 coins dating back to different historical eras, and a brass candlestick from the era of Khedive Ismail, before being smuggled out of the country.

Part of the confiscated coins - Min. of Tourism & Antiquities

This was stated by Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri, who explained that the artifacts were found in the luggage of two passengers traveling abroad.

Part of the confiscated coins - Min. of Tourism & Antiquities

The suspected finds were inspected and proved to be antiquities, subject to the Antiquities Protection Law #117 of 1983 and its amendments, and accordingly a report was drawn up referring the entire matter to the Public Prosecution.

Part of the confiscated coins - Min. of Tourism & Antiquities

Hamdi Hammam, head of the Central Administration of Ports and Archaeological Units in Egyptian Ports, indicated that the seized coins include three gold coins from the Byzantine era. On one side of two of these coins, a bust of Emperor Constantine II, wearing a crown, holding a cross, and surrounded by Byzantine inscriptions were visible. The other side of the coins shows an amphitheater surmounted by a cross and surrounded by inscriptions.

Part of the confiscated antiquities - Min. of Tourism & Antiquities

As for the third coin, it has a full picture of Emperor Heraclius with his sons, and it bears on the back an amphitheater topped by a cross and surrounded by Byzantine inscriptions.

Also, six coins made of metal and dating back to the Ptolemaic era were seized. These include 5 drachma coins and an unclear coin. All of the coins bear a bust of the god Zeus, with an eagle clasping its wings, a horn of good deeds and inscriptions in the ancient Greek language on the back.