The coin in question is believed to originate from a shipwreck in the Mediterranean off the French island of Corsica.
Last year, it appeared for sale on a Norwegian auction site – something that prompted French authorities to react.
The coin was found to be in the possession of Norwegian billionaire Trond Mohn and was seized by the police. Mohn – who claims to have bought the coin – was accused of both fencing and violating the cultural heritage law. He himself calls the accusations unfounded and in August this year the case was dropped.
After the handover of the coin – which took place on Thursday at the French embassy in Oslo – France's culture minister Rachida Dati says she is "very happy that it is back in French hands", according to NRK.
The gold coin is dated to the year 270 and is adorned with a depiction of Emperor Quintillus, who ruled the Roman Empire for only two months – and is therefore considered very rare and valuable.
The wreck from which the coin is believed to originate was discovered by private individuals in the 1980s who then sold the finds to collectors, without informing the French authorities.
