German numismatists ring the alarm bells
German cultural authorities have begun searching private homes and seizing
entire collections of antique coins, if provenance of only a few coins in
the collection is not documented. These invasions are being conducted under
the new German laws on importation of cultural property. Coins being
subjected to such scrutiny are not restricted to ancient coins presumed to
have been excavated - medieval and antique modern coins are also subject to
the same measures. In one case, a pensioner from the Thuringian Eisenberg
recently acquired four old coins on an Internet auction site. Shortly
afterwards his house was searched, ending with seizure of his entire
collection. Collectors are understandably alarmed, because very few coins in
their collections have provenances that will satisfy the new laws. When a
collection becomes suspect only a short time is being allowed to prove licit
origin before the collection is seized, and then even if the suspicion is
unfounded, it is very difficult to recover the collection.
Not only coins, but all "cultural objects" more than 100 years old are
subject to these new cultural laws, leading to fears that stamp collections,
collections of graphic arts and antique jewelry may also be targeted. The
list of "cultural objects" in the 1970 UNESCO Convention is very extensive,
including such common things as coins, postage stamps, photographs and
printed books.
The new laws on importation of cultural property became effective in
September 2008, after the German government finally gave in to demands that
importation of unprovenanced coins and other artifacts should be prevented,
because archaeologists allege that looting of archaeological sites is driven
by the collecting market. This allegation is unproven - no verifiable,
factual evidence has yet been presented to support it.
There is however significant evidence that looting would continue unabated
even if collecting could be prevented in Europe and other areas where
cultural property laws are respected. Meanwhile German coin collectors now
feel completely insecure, like criminals suspected of breaking the law.
According to Ulf Draeger - head of the Moritzburg Landesmünzkabinetts and
chairman of the German Society of Medallic Arts - the entry into force of
these new laws, despite their laudable intentions, has led to significant
collateral damage in only a short time. His conclusion: "If this situation
continues, then we can pack up."
For a summary in English see
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Unidroit-L/message/3348 
