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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