Dear Doug,

The issue isn't whether there are hundreds or thousands examples of a
antiquarian or historic coin types out there. The issue is preceisely
the fact that the market in collecting such coins that reside in the
ground ensures more "treasure" hunting. And the archaeological value
isn't especially in how rare these coins are but in their intimate
context and assopciation with other artifacts in the soil layers
within an archaeological site.

Also, to be honest, if someone seeks and digs up things on their own
property that is one thing - here in America that is legal. But almost
all of the excavation for such collecting markets are illegally done
on land that is either privately owned or government property.

Now if someone owns and wants to sell coins or other collectables and
can provide a clear proof of ownership showing that the object was
legally acquired and saying precisely where and when it came from then
that has some standing. But as you know, most excavated objects cannot
even begin to approach that level of documentation.

I encourage all cultural heritage and history professionals to support
all efforts to reduce and hopefully eliminate the markets in illegally
excavated objects.

Cheers!
Dave

David Harvey
Conservator
Los Angeles, California

On 2/1/07, Doug Mudd <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Everyone involved in this debate believes strongly in protecting and preserving
> antiquities – and that includes the American Numismatic Association, which
> operates the nation's largest museum dedicated to numismatics. However, the
> Cypriot stance on numismatic import restrictions is, I believe, misguided.
> Ultimately it would do little to advance the protection of Cypriot culture while
> significantly damaging a worldwide collecting hobby that has piqued interest in
> and support for the study of ancient and Cypriot history.
>
> The fact is that most coins are (or were) mass produced, unlike other
> culturally important objects. There are very few unique coins, and we can all
> agree that those coins rightfully should be valued and maintained as important
> national treasures. But in the vast majority of cases, there are many hundreds
> or thousands of any particular example of an ancient coin still in existence.
> What is to be gained by keeping thousands of duplicates of common coins,
> especially, as is often the case, they are not associated with an archeological
> context and thus have little or no scholarly value?
>
> Over the years, these coins in the hands of collectors promote discussion,
> cross-cultural understanding, and a worldwide interest in Cypriot history. A
> ban on Cypriot coins could make for a de facto ban on all ancient coins save
> those with very well documented provenances and pedigrees – and to what
> end? So that huge numbers of these public treasures could be sequestered
> from public view for all time? Rather than putting in place Draconian laws
> restricting the exportation of numismatic objects, perhaps we should look at
> the example of Great Britain and its "Treasure Trove" laws, which seem to
> have been effective in creating public incentive to report and preserve the
> context of numismatic finds as well as protecting Britain's cultural heritage,
> while still allowing individuals to collect coins.
>
> The following is the official statement from the American Numismatic
> Association opposing the Cypriot proposal to impose import restrictions on
> coins minted and found in Cyprus that are more than 250 years old.
>
>
> >>>
>
>
> Jay I. Kislak, Chairman
> Cultural Property Advisory Committee
> Cultural Heritage Center
> United States Department of State
> 301 4th St., SW
> Washington, DC 20547
>
> RE:     Renewal of Agreement with Republic of Cyprus and Possible Inclusion
> of Coins
>
> Dear CPAC Members:
>
> I am writing on behalf of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) to
> oppose efforts to impose import restrictions on numismatics including coins,
> paper money, medals and tokens in the consideration of the renewal of the
> agreement between the Government of the United States and the Government
> of Cyprus.   The ANA is a nonprofit, educational organization chartered by the
> United States Congress to promote the study and collection of money and
> related items, for research, interpretation and preservation of history and
> culture from ancient times to the present.  The ANA has almost 33,000 active
> members in the United States and our numbers are growing.  Many of our
> members collect Cypriot coins which would include many Greek, Roman,
> Medieval or Early Modern coins of a type that circulated in Cyprus.
>
> The ANA is deeply concerned that the application of import restrictions to
> numismatics and specifically coins will adversely impact the longstanding
> legitimate trade and collection of numismatic items.  Typically, coins do not
> carry any provenance with them, particularly of the sort contemplated by US
> Customs under the governing statute.  Thus, a legitimate holder of numismatic
> material may not be able to establish the necessary historical ownership of
> legally purchased numismatics to avoid forfeiture of his or her collection under
> the contemplated import restrictions that would be included in the agreement
> with Cyprus.
>
> U.S. citizens have enjoyed coin collecting, including ancient Cypriot
> numismatics, since the American Revolution (and citizens of the Colonies
> enjoyed coin collecting before the revolution).  President John Quincy Adams
> was a serious collector of ancient Greek and Roman coins.  Other Presidents
> such as Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt have also appreciated
> owning the very same type of coinage that would be covered under any
> proposed restrictions. The ANA trusts that the Cultural Property Advisory
> Committee (CPAC) will consider the legitimate interests of coin collectors, coin
> dealers, and all Americans interested in private ownership of ancient money in
> addressing this issue.
>
> Prior to this most recent request, there have been no import restrictions on
> coins and numismatic material from the Republic of Cyprus.  There has been no
> policy change and there is no supportable reason that could be advanced to
> depart from this prior position.  Given the harm the imposition of import
> restrictions would cause to legitimate collectors and individuals dealing in
> coins, the ANA strongly encourages CPAC to recommend against the
> contemplated import restrictions on numismatics.
>
> To impose import restrictions on Cypriot coins and numismatics could have an
> adverse impact on the ANA in its educational goals.  It has the potential to
> limit and/or eliminate an interest in collecting and learning from ancient
> numismatic material as such could be deemed at some future point to be illegal
> to own.  Likewise, researchers and scholars knowledgeable in ancient
> numismatics will likely not participate in educational programming in the United
> States as to do so, using Cypriot numismatics, could subject them to
> forfeiture of their materials.  Import restrictions as contemplated could have a
> significant adverse influence on the numismatic community in the United
> States.
>
> Certainly, import restrictions on coins would also discourage foreign
> participation in our numismatic conventions held in different cities throughout
> the United States.  These shows attract foreign numismatic firms and
> collectors who display numismatic material.  If it is difficult for them to import
> this material legally into the United States, they likely will not attend depriving
> collectors and researchers of their legitimately owned materials, their
> knowledge and their expertise.  American collectors will lose the benefit of
> these person to person contacts with numismatists from around the world and
> our historical knowledge will be all the poorer for it.
>
> On behalf of the ANA and its almost 33,000 members, I hope that you will
> continue to hold the position previously taken by CPAC and recommend
> against import restrictions on numismatics.  Should you have any questions,
> please do not hesitate to contact me.
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
> CHRISTOPHER CIPOLETTI
> Executive Director
>
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