Egypt Foils Attempt to Smuggle 85 Antique Coins, 3 Scarabs

The archaeological unit in the logistics village at Cairo International Airport managed, in cooperation with FedEx Customs on Saturday, to seize 85 antique coins from different eras and 3 small scarabs that were attempted to be smuggled out of the country.

Head of the Central Administration of Ports and Archaeological Units in Egyptian Ports Hamdy Hammam said that the smuggled artifacts were hidden in a parcel bound for the United States.

Once it was suspected that the artifacts were discovered, all necessary measures were taken immediately, and a committee was formed from the Center for Archaeological Units. The committee found out that the coins are artifacts and subject to Antiquities Protection Law No. 117 of 1983 and its amendments.

Director General of the Archaeological Units Center at Cairo International Airport Hana Al-Mashhour added that the seizures included: 2 silver coins from the Ptolemaic period; 80 bronze coins dating back to the Greek and Roman eras; 2 gold coins from the Byzantine era; A silver coin from the Ayyubid era, and 3 small scarabs from the era of ancient Egypt.