Greece returns 1,055 Lydian coins to Türkiye in historic ceremony
The coins, seized from smugglers by Greek authorities, were handed over to Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy during a ceremony in Athens.
Minister Ersoy’s visit included the 5th Tourism Joint Commission Meeting, where he met with Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefaloyanni. Both ministers emphasized the role of tourism in strengthening bilateral relations and cultural understanding.
The handover took place at the Athens Numismatic Museum in the presence of Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni. The coins, minted between the 7th and 5th centuries BCE, were identified as originating from Anatolia, prompting Turkey's restitution request.
Minister Ersoy highlighted the significance of the return, noting that this marks the first instance of Greece repatriating artifacts to Turkey. He also reiterated Türkiye’s support for Greece's campaign to recover the Parthenon Marbles from the UK, calling for global collaboration to combat cultural heritage smuggling.
Both nations committed to enhancing joint efforts in preserving shared historical legacies.
