A reliable source has reported that the Capitoline museum in Rome is selling genuine ancient Roman coins in their bookshop. The bookshop is run by a company wholly owned by the city of Rome (and thus by the government). They are Late Roman Bronzes priced at 45 euros each. The Museum and the Government of Rome should be commended for giving Italian and foreign tourists an opportunity to own an inexpensive artifact from the same culture that was responsible for the magnificent statuary found in the museum. Purists may be aghast, but ancient coin collecting is quite legal in Italy, and the country has many fine numismatic firms that deal in such items. So, why not? But does the museum also offer export permits for the coins it sells to tourists? Probably not, but perhaps it's more than a bit foolish to require one for inexpensive ancient coins of the sort widely collected both in Italy and abroad.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Italian Museum Sells Ancient Coins
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1 comment:
Arthur Houghton asked me to post this comment:
"Peter, I've never thought Roman coins were as interesting as you say, but these are very interesting indeed, and I have asked a friend in Rome to get me several and ensure that he has proper receipts from the Capitoline shop so that it's clear that they will have been transferred to be by legitimate sale. He will get them to me one way or another -- I mean, really, who cares about export permits, as long as I have clear title?
My friend says he will do this tomorrow or the next day before the Italian authorities have a chance to read your blog.
What a wonderful new source! The Government of Italy!
Warm regards,
Arthur"
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