Why "keep a low profile in dealing with the public"? Why indeed.

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There’s a pretty thought provoking post (Italy Returns Thousands of Looted Coins to Bulgaria: Is there a Connection to Past Criminal Activities? - link below) on Nathan Elkins’ blog provoked by the news item on the later history of the coins from the 2005 Verona seizure (Svetlana Guineva: 'Italy to send back stolen antique coins confiscated in Verona' Sofia Echo ).

We recall that in the summer of 2005 at a coin fair Italian authorities intercepted what they say were illicitly-obtained archaeological items smuggled from Bulgaria to Italy, four Bulgarians and an Italian were initially arrested, I do not know what became of them (the Bulgarians were sent home to face investigations there). The coins however returned to Bulgaria last week.

Anyway, Elkins looks at the wider context of this affair. It seems from what he writes that the US customs are not as vigilant as those here in Europe. Not by a long chalk. I will not summarise what all here should read for themselves and think deeply about. I would however like to repeat the question Elkins asks at the end of his text:

the most important question is whether or not dealers and collectors are really comfortable stocking their inventories
and coin cabinets from wholesalers such as this who are brazenly violating international laws and unethically sponsoring the systematic destruction of our past and the knowledge that goes along with it. Greater concern for law, ethics, due diligence, and - above all - transparency is greatly needed.

Are they “comfortable”? It would seem so. Are ACCG “comfortable” with this? It would seem so. Are 'strongly ethical' VCoins “comfortable” with this? It would seem so. Are eBay “comfortable” with this? It would seem so. Are all the collectors buying this stuff, knowing full well where it ultimately comes from "comfortable" with this? It seems so. What actually does a coin collector mean when they talk of a “good” dealer in antiquities? What is it that collectors are referring to when they affirm dealer X is “honest”? Is this something we can all afford to be as complacent about as the minority who collect portable antiquities seem to be? I bet these are questions the dealers and collectors of portable antiquities really would prefer were not asked by people who are far from "comfortable" with this element of the trade.

By the way, let us be clear that Bulgaria is just ONE of the sources of the coins for the wholesalers who supply the US market.

Here is the link to the post on Nathan Elkins’ blog his further contributions in the comments are also well worth a read.


Photo: two-faced ancient coin for the two-faced business in ancient coins.