The government assumes that they have to reimburse the costs for the stolen golden helmet and three gold bracelets from the Drents Museum. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science writes that it must, according to “all probability”, pay the damage.
The ministry has already reserved 5.7 million euros. That amount is just as high as the amount for which the Golden Helmet and the three Golden Bracelets are insured. Those masterpieces were stolen from the Drents Museum in Assen at the end of January and have not yet been found.
The golden helmet and three golden bracelets were part of the exhibition Dacia – Rich of silver and gold. The Dutch government was partly guaranteed for that collection. The exhibition is insured for more than 30 million euros, the Dutch state is responsible for 9 million euros.
That is, in the event of damage, theft or loss, the government pays. Only when the damage is more than 9 million euros are the costs for the Drents Museum. The museum does have to pay the deductible, but it is not known how high that is.
It is a scheme that museums have been able to use since 1989. In addition, the government is partly guaranteed for museum pieces that are on loan from abroad, for a temporary exhibition. Since its introduction, the state has been guaranteed for dozens of billions. “After the robbery in Assen, it will probably be the first time that a substantial amount will have to be paid,” the ministry writes.
Until the robbery in the Drents Museum in January this year, a total of ‘only’ 8,000 euros had been paid to damage. At the moment the claim settlement of the artist is still running. The Ministry writes that “the recent robbery on January 25, 2025 in the Drents Museum is the first case in which the scheme is likely to lead to damage”. If the helmet and bracelets return damaged, the state must also pay for the costs.
“The theft was a very moving event for all involved in the Netherlands and Romania,” writes Minister Eppo Bruins. “I still hope that this important cultural heritage will be found. All the commitment is aimed at that.” The Public Prosecution Service assumes that these treasures have not been melted and are still hidden somewhere. There are currently three suspects, they rely on their right to remain silent.
During the first public session in the court, the public prosecutor said that damage will be claimed by the suspects such as the helmet and bracelets do not return. “In view of the size of the amount, that may mean that they are very firmly in debt throughout their lives.”
The scheme stopped this year, but the minister recently extended it up to and including 2030. Because the government is partly responsible for the collection, the insurance premium for the museums can be reduced. Without the guarantee, such kinds of exhibitions for museums can become unaffordable. “Exhibitions such as Dacia – Rich of silver and goldwhich involves high insurance costs, are possible thanks to the scheme. At the same time, it shows that it is a risk scheme that (fortunately rarely) actually leads to the risk of central government, “the minister writes in a letter to the Lower House.
For the exhibition of which the Golden Helmet and Bracelets are part, the State’s guarantee provided 26 to 30 percent discount on the insurance premium. In general, the discount on the insurance for museums increases to 30 to 40 percent, in some cases it is more than 50 percent.
The Drents Museum makes extensive use of the scheme. Since 2013, the museum in Assen used it thirteen times. Only the Mauritshuis in The Hague did that more often since that time: seventeen times. The Drents Museum also used the scheme for the exhibitions for example Viva La Frida and Under the spell of the Ararat estimates from ancient Armenia.
It is not clear when the government will proceed with the payment of the damage. Currently, the damage settlement of the insurer is still running. If the helmet and bracelets are found after payment, the government can get the money back.