Material being marketed by ISIS: Roman gold coins, FBI, Daesh



Gold coin featuring Antoninus Pius
This coin is believed to be Roman, dating to approximately 138-161 A.D., and is sourced to any large, urban Hellenistic or Roman city in Syria, including Apamea, Palmyra, Dura Europos, or Bosra. The obverse features a bust of Antoninus Pius facing right wearing a laurel wreath. The reverse side features the Roman goddess of generosity, Liberalitas, facing left, holding a cornucopia in her left hand.

FBI database: https://artcrimes.fbi.gov/nsaf/antoninus-pius-aureus-obverse/art-view?cfs=true


Gold coin featuring Emperor Hadrian Augustus Caesar
This coin is believed to be Roman, dating to approximately 125-128 AD, was probably minted in Rome, and is sourced to any large, urban Hellenistic or Roman city in Syria, including Apamea, Palmyra, Dura Europos, or Bosra. The obverse features a bust of Emperor Hadrian Augustus Caesar, facing right, wearing a laurel wreath. The reverse features a she-wolf standing right, suckling the twins Romulus and Remus.

The DC US Attorney has just filed for forfeiture against four specific items found amongst ISIS files at near Deir Ezzor, Syria, they believe to be marketing towards the antiquities trade and collectors: https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/united-states-files-complaint-seeking-forfeiture-antiquities-associated-islamic-state 


Specifically, the complaint alleges that the following items are subject to forfeiture:
 
NB -             Because civil forfeitures are suits against the property itself, the complaint names the four above antiquities as the defendantsThe claims made in the complaint are only allegations and do not constitute a determination of liability.

            This case is being investigated by the FBI's Washington Field Office, with support from the U.S. Department of State. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Arvind K. Lal, Zia M. Faruqui, Deborah Curtis, Brian P. Hudak, Christopher B. Brown, and Ari Redbord, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Toni Donato, all from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, are representing the government.

            The FBI reminds the public to come forward with any information they may have about stolen art or cultural heritage items. Tips can be submitted to tips.fbi.gov. Tipsters may remain anonymous.