The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir recently handed over 176 antique coins that the Central Administration of Ports and Antiquities Units in Egyptian Ports at the Supreme Council of Antiquities managed to seize in Egyptian ports before being smuggled abroad to four countries — Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, and China.
The coins were handed over in the presence Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Ahmed Issa and Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities Mostafa Waziri, along with several government and diplomatic officials.
During his speech at the celebration, Issa welcomed the attendees and stressed the importance of this event in which Egypt is sending an important message, which is that Egypt not only preserves its heritage, antiquities, and civilization, but also preserves the artefacts of other countries.
He also explained that the ministry, through the Central Management of Ports and Archaeological Units in Egyptian ports, plays a very important role, which is seizing any stolen Egyptian artefact before it is smuggled abroad, in addition to seizing any artefact belonging to other countries that have ancient civilizations.
At the end of his speech, Issa invited the attending foreign officials to receive the antique coins of their countries, expressing his aspiration for more cooperation with them in the field of tourism and antiquities.
For his part, Waziri reviewed the important role played by the units of the Central Administration of Ports and Archaeological Units in seizing stolen Egyptian artefacts before that are smuggled abroad, as they were able during the past year to confiscate 133 coins for Saudi Arabia, six for Iraq, four for Jordan, and 33 for China.
