Priceless Gold Artifacts Taken in Drents Museum Robbery

⁠Drents Museum in Assen © Ilse van der Beek

On Saturday, January 25th, at approximately 3:45 a.m., a robbery took place at the Drents Museum in Assen. Thieves used explosives to break into the museum, damaging several buildings along the Brink. According to police, the explosion was deliberately set to force open the doors of the museum. The robbers stole ancient gold artifacts which were on loan from the National History Museum of Romania. Investigators are working with Interpol to track down the three suspects seen in surveillance footage, who were caught on camera entering the museum after opening an exterior door.

Security footage from the Museum © Politie Eenheid Noord-Nederland

A rising trend

Art historian Arthur Brand, known as the “art detective,” has described the recent robbery at the Drents Museum as part of a “worrying trend” in museum thefts. He warned that the Netherlands has become a hotspot for crimes involving explosives, with thieves recognizing that this method is effective. “The thieves have realized this works, and no museum can fully protect itself against it,” he said. Brand emphasized the urgency of the situation, urging both police and government to act quickly.

He also expressed concerns about the recovery of the stolen artifacts, particularly the gold pieces, which are often melted down for their material value. Brand pointed to previous cases, such as the 2017 theft of a 100-kilogram gold coin in Berlin and a Roman gold treasure stolen in Munich, both of which have never been recovered. “Paintings may be stolen to sell or return later, but gold is stolen to be melted down,” he added. He describes the theft as a “disaster” for Romania, as these treasures were an essential part of the country's historical identity.

One the two stolen ⁠Dacian bracelet from Sarmizegetusa Regia, National History Museum of Romania © Marius Amarie

The Challenges of Recovering Stolen Cultural Treasures

Dr. Cyril Thiaudière, an expert in antique jewelry from the Mediterranean region, explained the significant challenges in recovering stolen artifacts of this nature. “The market for classical antiquities is highly monitored — each piece is cataloged and registered, making resale in its original state incredibly difficult,” he said. However, Dr. Thiaudière warned of the possibility that the theft may have been pre-arranged. “There’s a chance this was a commissioned theft, with the transaction already agreed upon before the robbery. For some buyers, owning such treasures is not just about money, but about power and status,” he added.

Dr. Thiaudière also highlighted the risk of the artifacts being melted down, as ancient gold often has a purity exceeding 80%. “The material value of these objects is high, but it pales in comparison to their archaeological, historical, and cultural importance. Melting them would be an irreversible tragedy,” he emphasized.

He pointed out the vulnerabilities of museums to such crimes, noting that limited financial resources often prevent optimal security. “Museums are made to be accessible, but that accessibility can make them targets. Even with the best intentions, it’s nearly impossible to guard against every scenario,” Dr. Thiaudière said. He remains hopeful that international collaboration through Interpol could aid in recovering the artifacts, though he cautioned that the longer they remain missing, the harder they will be to retrieve. “If these items leave Europe, the chances of recovery drop significantly,” he concluded.

Ancient Dacian Gold

Among the stolen items from the Drents Museum’s ‘Dacia - Realm of Gold and Silver’ exhibition were priceless archaeological treasures, including three gold bracelets and the centerpiece of the exhibit: the golden helmet of Cotofenesti. The helmet, dating back over 2,500 years, is named after the Romanian village where it was discovered and is considered a significant symbol of Dacian heritage.

Stolen Helmet of Cotofenesti, National History Museum of Romania © Marius Amarie

These items, on loan from Romania, hold immense value not only in terms of their material worth but also as irreplaceable cultural artifacts of the ancient Dacian civilization, which once thrived in present-day Romania before being conquered by the Romans in 106 CE.