262 coins seized in Jan found to be antique
The customs department claimed to have recovered 370 coins, of which 262 are antiques, which were being smuggled from Pakistan in the Samjhauta Express.
Though the seizure was made in January, the Customs department revealed it on Tuesday, saying it was waiting for the report of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Customs commissioner Sanjay Gehlot said: “The seizure was made from an Indian national, Imran, who had reached India from Pakistan on January 12. The seizure was made after Imran did not show requisite permissions or documents and even did not declare them.”
“As the coins pertained to the late 19th and 20th century, we sent them to the ASI,” he said.
Seventy-five coins have been minted between 1862 and 1900 and 187 coins between 1900 and 1917. Most of the coins are have British crown embedded on them, he said. The customs official said they will probe to know the source of consignment.