Freakonomics Radio · 2026-08-14 · 54 min · 8,208 words

The Case of the $4 Million Gold Coffin (Update)

Listen to the original audio · Transcribed with NVIDIA Parakeet · Timestamps stay in sync with the live audio

Hey there, it's Steven Dubner and I hope you were having a great Summer. We are. while we work away on our fall schedule, which is going to be Excellent.

But now it's time for a breather. So we're going to republish a three part series we made a few years ago called Stealing Art. is easy. Giving it back is hard. We have updated facts and figures throughout Whether you're hearing this for the first time or maybe the fifth. Hope you enjoy it. This first episode is called The Case of the Four Million Dollar Gold Coffin.

As always, thanks. For listening. When you visit a museum. And look at all the magnificent art and artifacing on the wall, mounted on pedestals, encased in glass.

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