A collector of coins and antique objects was fined more than 200,000 euros by the court in Carpentras (Vaucluse). In its judgment of January 23, the court condemned to 5,000 euros of criminal fine and 201,355 euros of customs fine a numismatist of Orange, in Vaucluse, for detention of cultural goods without documentary evidence and concealment. The objects he held were confiscated.
Identified as a collector of coins and ancient objects and suspected of carrying out archaeological excavations without authorization, this septuagenarian had been checked by customs officials in January 2017 with a metal detector as well as a large batch of archaeological cultural property.
"Serious threat to heritage"
After a search of his home, 1,279 archaeological objects were found by customs officials, from land and sea sites, and dating back to protohistoric, ancient, medieval and modern times, details the press release from the Ministry of Culture. Among them, many Gallic coins, in gold, silver or bronze, amphorae and precious jewelry. All for an estimated value of more than 280,000 euros.
"The penalty imposed in this case will be a milestone," welcomed Franck Riester, the Minister of Culture, saying that "the judges had clearly indicated that no form of indulgence was possible" in the face of "looters and traffickers who pose a serious threat to heritage ”.
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