February 19, 2021
Priceless, ancient coins find a home at UW Libraries
Photos of a portion of the 51 Greek Hellenistic and early Islamic coins seized at the US/Canada border, now held at UW Libraries Special Collections. WATCH the story on KIRO 7 TV news !
Ancient coins, federal agents, mysterious circumstances at an international border…what sounds like a scene out of an Indiana Jones movie is a real-life story of lost artifacts that have now found a home with UW Libraries Special Collections. The story begins in 2017 at the US/Canadian border in Blaine, WA. When a vehicle was refused entrance and attempted to return to the United States, US border agents discovered and seized a collection of 51 ancient Greek Hellenic and early Islamic coins, the oldest of which are thought to date back to pre-Roman empire, around 350 BCE. The individual involved could not provide documentation of origin or ownership, and a formal investigation ensued that would continue for more than four years.
“A private citizen would not normally be in possession of something like (ancient coins),” said Brian Humphrey, Director of Field Operations for US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Seattle. According to Humphrey, it is extremely rare to intercept stolen antiquities in this manner, presumably on their way to the black market. “These coins were obtained due to some very astute CBP Officers,” Humphrey says.
Brian Humphrey (left), Director of Field Operations for CBP in Seattle, and Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations operations in the Pacific Northwest, display some of the 51 Greek Hellenistic and early Islamic coins HSI transferred to the University of Washington Libraries in a ceremony hosted on the UW campus, Feb. 18, 2021.
The prevalence of looting archaeological sites combined with high demand in the black market pose a serious threat to preservation of historical artifacts. According to Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) operations in the Pacific Northwest, U.S. agents have engaged in more than 12,000 antiquities investigations in the past decade.
“Illegal smuggling of cultural antiquities is not a victimless crime. The countries these items belong to and are stolen from are victims. Society as a whole is victimized when we lose these pieces of history to a private collector’s coffee table. HSI will continue to work aggressively with CBP to seize stolen antiquities and return them to either their rightful country of origin or a key academic partner like the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections for the safekeeping of the pieces of history.”
As part of the investigation, agents reached out to Professor Sarah Stroup of the Department of Classics at the University of Washington to help authenticate the coins. Agents would investigate further over the next three years to try and establish a verifiable record of authenticity and provenance in order to return the coins to a rightful owner.
Prof. Sarah Stroup addresses media at the February 18th ceremony in front of Allen Library.
“When items are illegally removed, that is, they are not the result of legitimate archaeological excavation—they lose provenance, and so not only is their history lost, it becomes exceptionally difficult to properly repatriate them,” says Professor Stroup.
“When items are illegally removed, that is, they are not the result of legitimate archaeological excavation—they lose provenance, and so not only is their history lost, it becomes exceptionally difficult to properly repatriate them,” says Professor Stroup.
In this case, provenance could not be established. Per US law, museums are not eligible to accept materials without provenance, but academic institutions can. In June 2019, when it was clear that repatriation was not possible, UW Libraries was approached about the opportunity, and made a formal request to accept the coins. The administrative approval and legal review by the Office of Trade, Regulations and Rulings would take another year to complete, due in part to COVID-related operational delays.
On Thursday, February 18, 2021, agents from both US Border Patrol and Homeland Security met UW Libraries staff outside the Suzzallo and Allen Libraries to officially transfer the coins. Sandra Kroupa, a UW Libraries veteran for over 50 years and the Book Arts and Rare Book Curator for UW Libraries Special Collections, accepted the coins from Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer.
“When a student can hold 3,000 years of history in their hand, there is no substitute for that in the learning environment.”
Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer (left), presents the coins to Sandra Kroupa, Book Arts and Rare Book Curator, for University of Washington Libraries Special Collections in a ceremony hosted on the UW campus, Feb. 18, 2021.
“UW Special Collections holds many historically significant artifacts that have been found and given to the Libraries from donors who want the items to be shared and studied for the public good,” says Kroupa. “We are grateful for the opportunity to add these very unique coins to our collections. Beyond their value as currency, ancient coins like this represent the beginning of communication and bookmaking. They reveal important historical information that help us understand the culture and politics from a specific time period. When a student can hold 3,000 years of history in their hand, there is no substitute for that in the learning environment.”
According to Kroupa, these coins provide a rare glimpse into histories from an area of the world underrepresented in the Libraries’ historical resources. The coins will advance scholarship for local researchers who have limited access to these kinds of antiquities in the Pacific Northwest.
Access to the coins is currently not available as the Libraries remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When normal operations resume, and after the acquisition process for the coins has been completed, Special Collections staff look forward to sharing them with students and researchers by appointment.
The coins provide a foundation for discussion about the societies in which they were created, as well as the complex issues of cultural heritage and the impact of illegal excavation and antiquities trade.
For students interested in exploring these topics further, consider courses like these* that delve into the history and trade of ancient artifacts such as: History of Recorded Information (LIS 508), a Library and Information Science graduate course; and Looting and Loss: The Recent Destruction of Cultural Heritage Sites in the Middle East (NEAR E 312) taught through Near Eastern Languages and Civilization; as well as a variety of courses in Ancient and Medieval History including The Ancient World (HSTAM 111); Military History of the Ancient World (HSTAM 205); The World of Late Antiquity (HSTAM 311); and Ancient and Medieval History (HSTAM 314) .*
*- these are examples of past courses and may not be offered at this time.
The UW Libraries reaffirms a commitment to diversity and inclusion that some felt was not evident in how we handled this event and its promotion. We will seek continuously to ensure that our actions reflect the Libraries’ values in the future.
