Pure Gold Jewish Book With Gilded Pages Seized From Artefact Smugglers

This Jewish religious book made entirely of gold including its pages has been seized from suspected artefact smugglers in Turkey.Show more

The book was reportedly seized in Erzincan, the capital of Erzincan Province in eastern Turkey.

The footage shows the book, which can be seen featuring what appears to be Hebrew writing, an all-seeing eye, a star of David and a menorah, a Jewish candlestick used for Hanukkah, among other symbols.

Newsflash obtained a statement from the Erzincan Governorship on Thursday, 25th May, saying that the book, "containing Jewish religious motifs and Hebrew writings in the form of historical artefacts", was made out of "24-carat pure" gold.

They added that it weighed 165 grammes (5.8 oz) and was made up of 14 pages.

The Turkish authorities said that they apprehended four suspects, who have not been named, and who had been caught trying to sell the historical artefact.

They added that they had initiated unspecified legal action against them.

The statement also said that the book was seized "as a result of the intelligence work carried out by the elements of the Provincial Gendarmerie Command of our Governorship within the scope of the prevention of cultural and natural property smuggling crimes."

The artefact has since been handed over to a museum, according to local media. The age of the gold book is currently unclear.