The coins have now been passed on to the University of Washington, as officials said they had no rightful owner. Brian Humphrey, director of field operations for US Customs and Border Protection, said: “A private citizen like this would not normally be in possession of something like (ancient coins). That’s immediately suspicious." The trove of coins will now be studied by students at the University of Washington, who will be offered a unique glimpse of the ancient artefacts. University of Washington curator Sandra Kroupa said: “We’re not talking about writing things up on a board. Ancient coins being smuggled illegally across US border seized by officials (Image: GETTY)