1891 年荷蘭 25 分硬幣：一枚稀有硬幣在拍賣會上以創紀錄的 100 萬歐元成交

一枚罕見的荷蘭硬幣，1891 年發行的 25 分銀幣，上面刻有年輕的威廉明娜女王的肖像，在拍賣會上以 100 萬歐元的驚人價格售出後成為頭條新聞。

A rare Dutch coin, featuring a portrait of a young Queen Wilhelmina, has sold for an astonishing €1 million at auction, setting a new record for a Dutch coin sold at auction. The 1891 25-cent silver piece is one of only two ever minted, with the other safely housed in the collection of the Dutch National Bank.

一枚罕見的荷蘭硬幣，上面刻有年輕的威廉明娜女王的肖像，在拍賣會上以 100 萬歐元的驚人價格售出，創下了荷蘭硬幣拍賣的新紀錄。這枚 1891 年的 25 分銀幣是僅有的兩枚銀幣之一，另一枚安全地存放在荷蘭國家銀行的收藏中。

The coin, also known as a kwartje, weighs only 3.5 grams and is made of silver. It features a design of a young Queen Wilhelmina on one side and the Dutch coat of arms on the other. Queen Wilhelmina reigned over the Netherlands for more than 50 years, from 1890 to 1948, making her image on such a rare coin even more coveted by collectors.

該硬幣也稱為 kwartje，重量僅為 3.5 克，由銀製成。它的一側是年輕的威廉明娜女王的圖案，另一側是荷蘭徽章。從 1890 年到 1948 年，威廉明娜女王在荷蘭統治了 50 多年，這使得她在這種稀有硬幣上的形象更加受到收藏家的垂涎。

The auction, organized by Heritage Auctions Europe, saw fierce competition among collectors. Starting at €300,000, the bidding rapidly escalated, reaching €850,000 within minutes. The final sale price, including auction fees, totaled an eye-watering €1,045,502, smashing the previous coin auction record held by a double gold ducat from 1867, which had sold for €200,000.

此次拍賣會由歐洲遺產拍賣行組織，收藏家之間的競爭非常激烈。起價為 30 萬歐元，出價迅速上漲，幾分鐘內達到 85 萬歐元。最終拍賣價格（包括拍賣費用）總計達到令人瞠目結舌的 1,045,502 歐元，打破了 1867 年雙金杜卡特金幣創下的 20 萬歐元拍賣紀錄。

"In all the over 100 auctions I have presided over, I have never been so nervous. My hands were clammy," said Jacco Schepers, director of Heritage Auctions Europe, describing the experience. The rapid escalation of bids reflected the high demand for this unique coin, a true “holy grail” for collectors.

「在我主持過的 100 多場拍賣中，我從來沒有這麼緊張過。我的手都是濕冷的，」Heritage Auctions Europe 總監雅科·謝珀斯 (Jacco Schepers) 在描述這次經歷時說道。出價的迅速上漲反映了對這種獨特硬幣的高需求，這是收藏家的真正「聖杯」。

The coin's history spans over a century, with only four owners in 133 years. The last time it was auctioned, in 2001, it fetched just 81,000 guilders (around €37,000). Among its former owners are notable collectors such as Virgil Brand, an American coin collector, and Philip Ferrari de Renotière, a renowned rare coin and stamp enthusiast. Despite its high profile, the current owner remains unknown.

這枚硬幣的歷史跨越一個多世紀，133年只有四位擁有者。上一次拍賣是在 2001 年，它的成交價僅為 81,000 荷蘭盾（約 37,000 歐元）。它的前主人包括著名收藏家，如美國錢幣收藏家 Virgil Brand 和著名的稀有硬幣和郵票愛好者 Philip Ferrari de Renotière。儘管其知名度很高，但目前的所有者仍然未知。

Several factors contribute to the extraordinary value of this 1891 Dutch quarter. First and foremost is its rarity. With only two coins minted and one already in a national collection, the chances of acquiring another are slim. Collectors interested in completing their Wilhelmina coin series are left with no choice but to pursue this piece, and the scarcity drives its price skyward.

多種因素造就了這枚 1891 年荷蘭 25 分硬幣的非凡價值。首先也是最重要的是它的稀有性。由於僅鑄造了兩枚硬幣，其中一枚已被國家收藏，因此獲得另一枚的機會很小。有興趣完成威廉敏娜硬幣系列的收藏家別無選擇，只能追求這件作品，而稀缺性則導致其價格飛漲。

Moreover, the coin's historical connection to Queen Wilhelmina and its relatively small size and weight make it even more fascinating. Numismatic experts agree that this sale might be a once-in-a-lifetime event, with Schepers stating, "It could be another 50 years before it happens again, if ever."

此外，這枚硬幣與威廉明娜女王的歷史聯繫及其相對較小的尺寸和重量使其更加令人著迷。錢幣專家一致認為，這次拍賣可能是一生一次的大事，謝珀斯表示，“如果再次發生的話，可能還需要 50 年。”

The record-breaking sale serves as a reminder of the enduring appeal of rare coins in the world of numismatics. Coins like this one hold intrinsic value not only because of their metal content but also due to their rarity, history, and cultural significance. As interest in coin collecting continues to grow, the auction world will likely see more such thrilling sales in the future.

這次破紀錄的拍賣提醒人們，稀有硬幣在錢幣學領域具有持久的吸引力。像這樣的硬幣具有內在價值，不僅因為其金屬含量，還因為其稀有性、歷史和文化意義。隨著人們對錢幣收藏的興趣不斷增長，未來拍賣界可能會看到更多如此令人興奮的拍賣。