TEHRAN A coin dated back to the Samanid dynasty was Discovered in Meibod, Yazd Province. The silver coin is said to belong to the Amir Ismael of the Samanid Era. The coin weights 2.5 grams. Arabic words are carved on the two sides of the coin . Meanwhile, it was announced in Dezful, Khuzestan Province, that provincial Department of Cultural Heritage and Law Enforcement Forces have arrested two four-man groups of illicit excavators who were looking for ancient artifacts.

Head of the provincial Department of Cultural Heritage, Mohammad Ershadi, told IRNA that the smugglers have excavated two heights near Dezful since early this year and plundered some pieces of antique artifacts. The smugglers excavating an ancient height near Dezful last year took valuable historic artifacts which were belonged to ilamite era. During their illegal excavation the smugglers damaged several artifacts including valuable potteries.