Ancient golden helmet recovered more than a year after Dutch heist

A 2,500-year-old golden helmet and two bracelets, stolen from the Drents Museum in Assen, Netherlands, over a year ago, have been recovered. The artifacts, on loan from Romania's national history museum as part of an exhibition about ancient Dacia, were stolen in a raid. The recovery follows negotiations with lawyers for the three suspects arrested in connection with the theft, who will face trial later this month. While the helmet was slightly damaged, the bracelets were in perfect condition. The theft caused outrage in Romania and a dispute between the Romanian and Dutch governments. Authorities are still searching for the third missing bracelet.

A 2,500-year-old Romanian gold helmet, the Helmet of Coțofenești, stolen in January 2025 from the Drents Museum in the Netherlands, has been recovered. The theft involved a gang using firework bombs to break into the museum and steal the helmet along with three gold bracelets. The recovery was confirmed by Dutch art detective Arthur Brand, who described it as "amazing" news. The theft sparked outrage in Romania, where the artifacts are considered national treasures, and prompted the Dutch government to allocate €5.7m for a potential payout. Prosecutors are expected to make an official announcement regarding the helmet's recovery.