British Museum Coin Swapped for Fake by Brazilian Artist

Brazilian artist Ilê Sartuzi recently executed a provocative art project at the British Museum, swapping a historical coin for a fake and depositing the original in a donation box. This act, which Sartuzi filmed as part of his master’s project at Goldsmiths, University of London, was intended to spotlight the extensive collection of foreign objects in the museum.

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Sartuzi's project unfolded last month when he noticed a museum volunteer distributing coins to visitors. He requested a 17th-century English silver coin, a rare British artifact among the museum’s global collection. After creating a diversion, Sartuzi successfully replaced the genuine coin with a counterfeit and slipped the original into the museum’s donation box. His actions were captured on video by three friends.

To avoid recognition, Sartuzi shaved his beard and staged the swap with the help of a brief distraction. The British Museum, already reeling from a scandal involving the recent loss of hundreds of items, plans to inform the police about the incident. A museum spokesperson criticized the act as "disappointing and derivative," arguing that it undermines the trust essential for visitor engagement with historical objects.

The coin, minted in Newark, England, in 1645, was not listed in the museum’s database but was part of the handling collection, which allows visitors to touch artifacts under volunteer supervision. Sartuzi and his lawyer argue that his actions do not breach museum policies or the Theft Act of 1968.

The stunt coincided with a period of heightened scrutiny for the British Museum, following revelations of missing items that led to the resignation of its director and a security review. Sartuzi's critique highlights the museum's imperialist past and the ongoing debate over repatriation of artifacts, including the Parthenon marbles and Benin bronzes.

The British Museum has faced mounting pressure over its acquisition practices, with several nations demanding the return of cultural treasures