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Brazilian Artist Steals Historic Coin from British Museum for Art Project

Last month, Brazilian artist Ilê Sartuzi executed a bold theft at the British Museum in London, stealing a historic coin from its display case and then depositing it in the museum’s donation box. The Art Newspaper reported the incident on Monday, highlighting Sartuzi’s unique approach to making a statement through art.

Ilê Sartuzi’s “Sleight of Hand” Exhibition at Goldsmiths

Sartuzi filmed both the theft and the return, creating a seven-minute video titled “Sleight of Hand,” which he is now showcasing in his MFA thesis exhibition at Goldsmiths, University of London, on view through July 16.

The Heist: Ilê Sartuzi’s Coin Swap at the British Museum

The heist occurred on June 18, when Sartuzi took a silver coin minted in 1645 in Newark, England, from its display case in Room 68. This was done during a demonstration overseen by a volunteer guide. He then replaced the original coin with a replica. Sartuzi carried the stolen coin downstairs and placed it into a designated donation box. The entire operation took over a year of planning, and three of Sartuzi’s friends captured the act on a handheld camera. During an initial attempt on June 17, a volunteer guide caught him, prompting Sartuzi to shave his beard to avoid recognition and successfully switch the coin the following day.

Controversial Coin Theft Highlights Issues at the British Museum

The coin Sartuzi stole is not registered in the museum’s database and is part of its handling collection, which allows visitors to touch objects under volunteer supervision since January 2000. According to Sartuzi and his lawyer, his actions did not violate museum policies against touching objects or their removal from the premises and did not fall under the Theft Act of 1968.

British Museum’s Response to Ilê Sartuzi’s Act

In response to the incident, a British Museum spokesperson stated, “This is a disappointing and derivative act that abuses a volunteer-led service aimed at giving visitors the opportunity to handle real items and engage with history. Services like this rely on a basic level of human decency and trust, and it would be a shame to have to review the provision of these services due to actions like this.”

Ilê Sartuzi’s Critique of the British Museum

Sartuzi told the Art Newspaper that his work emphasizes “the problem of universal museums” and criticized the British Museum as “a foundational part of the colonial, imperialist system.” He noted that the coin he stole was the only one on display of British origin, highlighting issues with the museum’s collection, more than half of which remains uncatalogued.

Ongoing Theft Issues at the British Museum

This incident comes as the British Museum continues to address other theft issues, including the recent recovery of 268 objects following the theft of around 1,500 artifacts, which led to the resignation of museum director Hartwig Fischer.

Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding story and the implications it may have for museum practices and security measures.