Individuals attempting to sell “Nikolay” coins for $67,000 were arrested in Tashkent

Authorities in Tashkent have detained individuals attempting to illegally sell rare gold coins, according to a report from the State Security Service.

The incident involved A.Kh., a resident of Almazor district born in 1966, who was apprehended during a sting operation organized by the Andijan Region Department of the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The operation took place in Tashkent, where 100 gold coins were handed over to E.S., a resident of Andijan born in 1963. Both individuals were caught with physical evidence while trying to sell the coins for $67,000. Additionally, 37 more gold coins were seized from A.Kh.'s vehicle.

Experts have valued the total collection of historically significant coins, with a combined weight of 776 grams, at 950 million sums. It was discovered that E.S. intended to transport these coins, commonly known as "Nikolai" coins, to the Osh region of Kyrgyzstan for sale.

A criminal case has been initiated against the suspects under Article 177, Part 4, Clause "a" of the Criminal Code, and investigations are currently ongoing.

It should be noted that earlier, in the Bukhara region, another individual was apprehended while attempting to smuggle ancient numismatic items, minted 500 years ago, out of the country.