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Italy’s ‘Art Squad’ charges hoarder of rare Roman coins

Italy's 'Art Squad', the police force tasked with protecting the country's priceless cultural heritage, has confiscated rare Roman coins and other historical artefacts from a private residence.

Published: 24 March 2017 09:53 CET
Italy's 'Art Squad' charges hoarder of rare Roman coins
The recovered coins. Photo: Carabinieri del Nucleo Tutela Patrimonio Culturale

The rarest of the coins is one of just five in existence, police said on Thursday. It dates back to the time of Emperor Constantino II, who was in power between 337 and 340.

In total, the Cultural Heritage police in Perugia, central Italy, confiscated 13 coins and various other “archaeological artefacts of interest” which dated back to the fourth century AD.

The owner has been charged with illegal possession of cultural objects and violation of the laws surrounding excavations.

Police also confiscated two portable metal detectors which they believed had been used to track down the artefacts in agricultural areas across the Umbria region.

Art crime is a huge problem in Italy, where artworks are stolen from unguarded churches and even from secure museums, and illegal excavations can uncover valuable historical treasures.

Over one million artworks are currently listed as missing or stolen.

Italy became the first country in the world to create a specialized police force to combat cultural crimes back in 1969. Its officers not only track down stolen treasures but have recently worked on securing and restoring the artworks threatened by the earthquakes in parts of Le Marche and Lazio last year.

To join the 'Art Squad', as it is known, officers first train as police officers (carabinieri) and then spend time training in art history, recognizing counterfeits, and restoring damaged works.

The Perugian unit is continuing its investigation into the coins found on Thursday, in order to determine if there are any other artefacts or further criminal charges applicable.

Want more archaeology stories? Keep up to date with our dedicated archaeology section.

READ ALSO: Shoe that lay in professor's office is nearly 6,000 years old

Shoe that lay in prof's office is nearly 6,000 years old
Photo: Roman Clara/Bolzano Regional Government

CULTURE

Updated: What is Italy’s Palio di Siena and where can you watch it?

Italy's hotly-anticipated Palio di Siena horse race is back - but what exactly is it and where can you watch it?

Published: 16 August 2024 12:10 CEST
Updated: What is Italy's Palio di Siena and where can you watch it?

The renowned Palio di Siena horse race returns on Saturday, August 17th, with jockeys racing it out in Tuscany’s medieval jewel, Siena.

With origins dating back to 1633, the Palio di Siena is Italy’s most famous historic horse race.

The event is a competition between the neighbourhoods of Siena, called contrade, with each contrada having its own coat of arms and patron saints. There are 17 contrade in Siena, but only 10 compete – this year’s competitors are; Chiocciola, Oca, Istrice, Selva, Lupa, Valdimontone, Onda, Nicchio, Leocorno and Civetta.

It occurs twice a year in Siena’s main square, Piazza del Campo. The first race took place this summer on July 2nd. Each Palio lasts a total of four days; three days of celebrations and the final day being the race itself.

The race consists of three laps of Piazza del Campo. The starting point (the mossa), is made up of two ropes in which the 10 participating horses and jockeys must wait in order. The horse, with or without a jockey, which completes the three laps first wins.

The prize is a large silk-painted canvas, known as the drappellone, which is designed and created every year by a different artist.

Over the centuries, the race has only been cancelled a handful of times, including for World War II and the Covid pandemic. 

In recent years the Palio has been the subject of protest from animal rights groups who state that the horses suffer during the competition. Preliminary investigations into a defamation trial began at the start of June this year, after Walter Caporale, the national president of animal rights group Animalisti Italiani (Italian Animalists) was accused of defining the event’s organisers as “sadistic and uncivilised.” The next hearing is set for February 28th 2025. 

The final race this year was supposed to take place on Friday, 16th August but it was cancelled due to heavy rain.

Watch the Palio di Siena live on television or via streaming on Italian channel LA7 from 4.45pm on Saturday.

Are you tuning in to the Palio di Siena? Let us know what you think about it in the comments below.

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