FRENCH MAN INVESTIGATED REGARDING HOARD

French authorities are investigating a man who allegedly found 27,400 archaeological artifacts -- including more than 14,000 Roman coins.

In September 2019, the French national said he had discovered 14,154 coins on land he owns in Belgium, but Belgian authorities questioned the man's story and contacted their French counterparts, according to a press release from French customs authorities published Wednesday.

If the man, whose name has not been released by authorities, had found the coins in Belgium he would have had the right to keep them, but archaeological objects found in France are the property of the state.

Officials searched two properties in eastern France, a French customs spokeswoman told CNN.

The man admitted that the Roman coins had in fact been found on French soil, said customs agent Florent Nourian in a video released by the customs agency.

In addition to the Roman coins, authorities found more than 13,000 other archaeological artifacts of "exceptional quality," according to the press release.

Officials seized a total of 27,400 objects of "inestimable value" in one of the largest recoveries of looted artifacts in French history, the press release said.

To read the complete articles, see:
French man investigated over 27,400 item archaeological hoard (https://www.cnn.com/style/article/france-roman-coins-customs-scli-intl/index.html)
French customs seize 'priceless haul' of Roman coins and artefacts man claimed he 'found in garden' (https://www.yahoo.com/news/french-customs-seize-priceless-haul-142002996.html)

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