Thousands of Ancient Coins, Artifacts Seized at Bulgaria-Turkey Border Crossing

Jerusalem, 20 May, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Kapitan Andreevo, Southern Bulgaria (BTA) – Bulgarian customs officers at the Kapitan Andreevo Border Checkpoint seized more than 4,600 ancient coins, rings, and other artifacts classified as movable cultural and historical valuables, the Customs Agency’s regional press office in Svilengrad reported on Wednesday.

The objects were found during an inspection of a truck with Turkish registration plates. The driver, a Turkish citizen, had declared that he was transporting metal molds from Turkey to Germany.

According to an initial expert appraisal, the objects have a total gross weight of 17.690 kg and stem from different periods of antiquity and the Middle Ages. The smuggled archaeological artifacts have been seized and will be handed over for a thorough expert examination for precise dating and identification.

A report has been drawn up against the driver of the truck, and the investigation continues.

On February 17, a total of 3.270 undeclared ancient coins and 850 ancient objects were seized at the Kapitan Andreevo checkpoint in a cargo van with Polish registration.