Looted gold coffin of ancient Egyptian priest goes home

The Gold Coffin of Nedjemankh is displayed during a news conference to announce its return the the people of Egypt. [Photo: REUTERS/Brendan McDermid]

The gilded coffin of a high-ranking ancient Egyptian priest, which had been buried, looted and illegally sold before going on public display at a New York museum, was returned on Wednesday to Egyptian authorities.

The coffin of Nedjemankh, which dates back to the first century B.C., came to New York two years ago by way of a global art underground network before being sold to an unwitting Metropolitan Museum of Art for $4 million, authorities said.