Ammon News - French Police officers together with their colleagues from Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) have found a collection of ancient gold coins worth 55 million rubles (around $656,000) that were previously stolen in France on the antique market in Moscow, Russian Interior Ministry's Spokeswoman Irina Volk reported.

The collection was originally kept in the archeology and art museum in Saint-Remy in the city of Reims, France.

"Upon investigating the sale of coins on the Moscow antique market, officers found them to match the description and identity of the stolen items. An Interpol inquiry was made to French authorities," Volk specified.

"Foreign colleagues confirmed the theft of gold coins, including rare ancient coins minted from the 1st to 5th century AD. The museum guard responsible for the theft was convicted. However, the stolen items were never recovered until now," Volk wrote on her Telegram channel.

Russian law enforcement officers received a photo and a detailed description of the stolen exhibits. "After conducting an investigation in an antique shop and with several numismatists, 79 coins were seized. Experts from the State Historical Museum verified their historical and cultural value. The approximate value of the collection is said to exceed 55 million rubles," Volk noted.

The authorities are currently working on returning the collection to its permanent display in France. TAAS