‘A wow moment’: stolen 2,500-year-old Romanian gold helmet has been found

Prosecutors unveil priceless artefact in press conference after it was taken from Netherlands museum in January 2025

A priceless ancient golden helmet from Romania that was stolen last year from a museum in the Netherlands, sending shockwaves through the art world, has been recovered as part of a plea deal reached with the suspects.

Under the guard of balaclava-wearing police, prosecutors unveiled the 2,500-year-old Coțofenești helmet – considered a cultural icon of Romania – during a news conference on Thursday in the eastern Dutch city of Assen.