Dutch authorities have announced the recovery of a priceless 2,500-year-old gold helmet from Romania that was stolen from a museum in the Netherlands. The artifact, known as the CoΘofeneΘti helmet, was taken from the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden) in Leiden in February 2024.
Under tight security, prosecutors unveiled the recovered helmet. The investigation, which involved international cooperation, led to the arrest of several suspects. The helmet is considered a national treasure of Romania, dating back to the Thracian or Geto-Dacian cultures of the 4th century BC.
The museum stated the helmet was found intact. Dutch officials are coordinating with Romanian authorities for its eventual return. The recovery concludes a major international art theft case that began over two years ago.
