Turkish security forces seized 877 ancient bronze coins in Istanbul on Sunday in an anti-smuggling operation, authorities said.
The gendarmerie busted the workplace of a suspect, only known by initials E.A, to seize coins belonging to the Hellenistic period after they learned the suspect would try to put the historical artifacts on the market, said the sources on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to media.
The suspect was arrested while attempting to escape with a bag. The confiscated coins were handed in to the Istanbul Archeology Museum. The coins were found to be minted in various cities of the Pontus Region and has value of mass find.
