The Helmet of Coțofenești. Photograph: Lucian Alecu/AlamyView image in fullscreenThe Helmet of Coțofenești. Photograph: Lucian Alecu/Alamy‘It’s amazing’: stolen 2,500-year-old Romanian gold helmet has been foundPriceless artefact snatched in Netherlands museum heist has been recovered, ending international search
A priceless gold 2,500-year-old helmet from Romania, stolen last year in the Netherlands, has been recovered, according to a Dutch art detective.
“It’s amazing. It’s the best news we could have got,” Arthur Brand said on Thursday, confirming that the Helmet of Coțofenești had been found.
Prosecutors are expected to make an official announcement on Thursday.
The artefact was taken in January 2025, when a gang of robbers used firework bombs to break into the Drents Museum in the northern Netherlands before smashing display cases inside.
View image in fullscreenA polyspiral Dacian gold bracelet. Photograph: APThey escaped with the golden Helmet of Coțofenești and three gold bracelets.
The theft – and subsequent search – made regular headlines in the Netherlands and triggered outrage in Romania, where the items are regarded as national treasures.
The Dutch government had set aside €5.7m for a potential payout after the theft.
