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US imposes import restrictions on ancient Cyrus coins
By Kareem Yasin
AN HISTORIC agreement between the Cyprus and United States governments means that ancient Cypriot coins will now be barred from unauthorised importation into the US.
The agreement went into effect on Monday after being officially adopted last week.
The island’s ancient coins will now only be allowed to enter the US if authorised by the Cyprus government. The move has thrilled local authorities, as it provides an effective means of limiting the illegal trafficking of culturally significant ancient coins from the island.
The law regarding the ancient coins is part of a renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the US and Cypriot governments, which is set to expire again in five years. The last memorandum had protected the island against the trafficking of other antiquities into the United States, but did not include coins.
“Adding the coins to the memorandum list is a big success for Cyprus,” said Director of the Department of Antiquities Pavlos Flourentzos.
“US authorities will be obliged to contact us if anyone tries to take ancient Cypriot coins through US customs without official Cyprus government documents.”
The renewed agreement marks the first time the US State Department has moved to protect the cultural heritage of another country by restricting trade on a broad category of ancient coins.
“Cyprus is the first and only country to have its ancient coins protected through such an MOU,” said Flourentzos.
He added that Italy had also been trying to pass a similar agreement with the US, but had not seen any results so far.
The island’s government has long been concerned with reported looting of archaeological sites. It is particularly concerned with sites in the occupied territories, where many of Cyprus’s ancient coins are found.
Discovered coins are often used by scientists to date archaeological findings. Adding them to the list of protected items means that these sites face less risk of being damaged as looters are less likely to turn a profit for their findings.
The coins protected under the agreement date back from the first coins to ever be issued on the island up until the end of the Roman period, said Flourentzos.
Also protected are other Cypriot artefacts and art pieces dating from the classical, pre-classical and Byzantine periods.
American collectors are however reportedly worried that the new import restrictions will cause confusion, as ancient coins are not usually required to carry documents of origin. Furthermore, Cyprus coins excavated in neighbouring countries such as Israel, Lebanon, Syria or Turkey – which would not require Cypriot documentation – could potentially cause confusion at customs.
Andreas Kakouris, the island’s ambassador to Washington, was said to be pleased with the development, telling The New York Times that: “Coins constitute an inseparable part of our own cultural heritage, and the pillage they are subjected to is the same as other archaeological material.”
kenb
By Kareem Yasin
AN HISTORIC agreement between the Cyprus and United States governments means that ancient Cypriot coins will now be barred from unauthorised importation into the US.
The agreement went into effect on Monday after being officially adopted last week.
The island’s ancient coins will now only be allowed to enter the US if authorised by the Cyprus government. The move has thrilled local authorities, as it provides an effective means of limiting the illegal trafficking of culturally significant ancient coins from the island.
The law regarding the ancient coins is part of a renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the US and Cypriot governments, which is set to expire again in five years. The last memorandum had protected the island against the trafficking of other antiquities into the United States, but did not include coins.
“Adding the coins to the memorandum list is a big success for Cyprus,” said Director of the Department of Antiquities Pavlos Flourentzos.
“US authorities will be obliged to contact us if anyone tries to take ancient Cypriot coins through US customs without official Cyprus government documents.”
The renewed agreement marks the first time the US State Department has moved to protect the cultural heritage of another country by restricting trade on a broad category of ancient coins.
“Cyprus is the first and only country to have its ancient coins protected through such an MOU,” said Flourentzos.
He added that Italy had also been trying to pass a similar agreement with the US, but had not seen any results so far.
The island’s government has long been concerned with reported looting of archaeological sites. It is particularly concerned with sites in the occupied territories, where many of Cyprus’s ancient coins are found.
Discovered coins are often used by scientists to date archaeological findings. Adding them to the list of protected items means that these sites face less risk of being damaged as looters are less likely to turn a profit for their findings.
The coins protected under the agreement date back from the first coins to ever be issued on the island up until the end of the Roman period, said Flourentzos.
Also protected are other Cypriot artefacts and art pieces dating from the classical, pre-classical and Byzantine periods.
American collectors are however reportedly worried that the new import restrictions will cause confusion, as ancient coins are not usually required to carry documents of origin. Furthermore, Cyprus coins excavated in neighbouring countries such as Israel, Lebanon, Syria or Turkey – which would not require Cypriot documentation – could potentially cause confusion at customs.
Andreas Kakouris, the island’s ambassador to Washington, was said to be pleased with the development, telling The New York Times that: “Coins constitute an inseparable part of our own cultural heritage, and the pillage they are subjected to is the same as other archaeological material.”
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