Syria was one of the first centres of Christian art, as a collection of silver objects shows.

ECONOMIST: Pigs and whistles from the Euphrates

One trend he has noticed is his customers want to convert silver objects into pure silver in an effort to make them easier to value.

FORBES: FOCUS: Little Scrap Silver Seen On Market After Run To $50

In the interest of collectors and in response to the high quotes on the art market, in particular Western market, of religious objects (paintings, sculptures, architectural elements, silver and various objects of piety), UNESCO organized a training session for legal and operational matters on the specific theme of the protection of religious heritage, which has been the target of a significant looting in recent years.

UNESCO: CULTURE

Somewhere among all that they can be sure of coins, gold and silver bullion and objects made of metal of various kinds.

BBC: Hunting for Cuba's hidden treasure

It is one of the earliest wrecks dating from the beginning of Spanish colonisation and disappeared with a huge cargo of gold and silver along with gems and cultural objects specially collected to show the king of Spain the extent of the wealth of the New World.

BBC: Hunting for Cuba's hidden treasure