What is the big fuss about?
There have been some very enlightened arguments on both sides of the “Collector = Looter” issue. From them comes the realization that common sense and fairness are not great truths of universal definition. Therefore, one must deal with law, not with emotion. The fact is that it is currently legal in the United States to import ancient coins from every country except Iraq and Cyprus. The import restrictions on coins from these two countries are temporary and have built in “sunset” provisions. It is illegal in many countries to export these coins, but few if any countries prohibit the importation of them. Current laws around the world generally recognize the right of people to own objects of antiquity. Even in Turkey and Greece, where export laws are exceedingly strict, it is entirely legal, with the proper permits, for a private citizen to own and possess ancient coins. In 1992, for example, a diverse group of scholars and private collectors participated in a symposium of the Turkish Nu
