Will the U.S. Senate restrict the import of Roman and Greek coins originating from Italy?
Wow, are we in trouble! Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan of New York recently proposed S. 1696 before Congress, a bill specifically restricting the import of ancient coins originating in Italy. Greece and Turkey have been pressuring the United States for years to sign international agreements through which “cultural patrimony” (possibly including ancient coins found in those countries) could be forcibly returned to those countries. Now a US Senator appears to have sided with those nations who would love to loot our museums and coin collections. Since the bill specifically restricts the import of ancient coins “originating” in Italy, this could mean all ancient Roman coins and Greek coins struck in cities in Italy. The next step might be to go after coins in existing collections. The coin collecting fraternity does not appear to be taking this matter lightly. The New York auction houses of Christie’s and Sotheby’s are trying to coordinate opposition to the bill. The Industry Council for Tan
