Rare Gold Nuggets Worth $700,000 Stolen From Paris’ Natural History Museum in Brazen Heist

Image: Unknown thieves stole native gold from the French National Museum of Natural History’s geology and mineralogy gallery, which is closed until further notice. Rachel Sommer / Picture Alliance via Getty Images

Discovered in their pure metallic form, the specimens were taken by “an extremely professional team,” the museum’s director said

By Ella Feldman

Thieves stole $700,000 worth of rare gold samples from Paris’ National Museum of Natural History in an overnight heist, officials announced Wednesday.

The theft, which took place early Tuesday morning, was the latest in a series of heists targeting French museums in recent months.

“This comes at a critical time for cultural institutions, particularly museums,” the National Museum of Natural History says in a statement quoted by NBC News’ Peter Guo and Jean-Nicholas Fievet.

Read the full article on the Smithsonian Magazine:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/rare-gold-nuggets-worth-700000-stolen-from-paris-natural-history-museum-in-brazen-heist-180987370/