[weegee]

Let's call it what it is, hot merchandise. If those who buy hot merchandise were to say, "naw, $50,000's too much, I'm putting myself at risk if I'm ever discovered with this... $5,000 or no deal" then the price would fall. Those involved in selling the stolen items would face the same punishments for less reward.

Stolen antiquities are a big deal in every country.

[from occupied ga]

Stolen antiquities are a big deal in every country.

Which would indicate that there really isn't any good way to cut down on their sale. By stolen do you mean that stolen from the ground before the government thieves got around to stealing them or stolen from real existing owners?