![Tetradrachm of Athens (circa 454-404 BC): portrait of Athena, protector goddess of the city, with helmet. Reverse: the owl of Athens, with an olive branch and the inscription αθε[ναιον], "of the Athenians"; Image licensed Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en.](https://images.prismic.io/barnebys/6a1d9c8d-90c1-4d57-9bde-871ee27eb78e_Tetradrachm+of+Athens+%28circa+454-404+BC%29.webp?auto=format,compress)
An unusual online advertisement caught the eye of the authorities when it offered five Ancient Greek coins for sale for just 1,500 euros. These coins were identified, as part of careful checks aimed at combating illegal trafficking of archaeological finds, by the Carabinieri of the Cultural Heritage Protection Unit of Monza. The coins were later returned to the Greek Ambassador to Italy, Eleni Sourani, in a handover ceremony in Rome.
Related: Money Talks: Ancient Roman Coins
Their discovery has once again brought to light the widespread presence of illicit sales of historical artifacts online. It is a sad reality that looms over cultural heritage in the virtual market.
The coins (tetradrachms) date from the period between the 5th and 1st centuries BC and feature depictions of Athena, Zeus, Dionysus, Heracles and Alexander the Great. Their intricate details and rich symbolism reveal the politics, religion, art, commerce, and inter-regional economic dynamics of Ancient Greece.
This story highlights the importance of ensuring the legitimate provenance of ancient objects, especially when purchasing online. Enthusiasts and collectors should always rely on websites that operate with accredited and legal dealers and auction houses, in order to preserve the historical and cultural integrity of antiquities.
