寧靜的新時代：和平美元的誕生

A New Era of Peace: The Birth of the Peace Dollar

和平新時代：和平美元的誕生

The Peace dollar, a poignant symbol of the hope and optimism that followed the horrors of World War I, stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Its creation, a collaborative effort between prominent sculptors and government officials, marked a new chapter in American numismatics.

和平美元是第一次世界大戰恐怖之後希望和樂觀的深刻象徵，也是人類精神堅韌的證明。它的創作是著名雕塑家和政府官員的共同努力，標誌著美國錢幣學的新篇章。

The Genesis of a Coin

硬幣的起源

In the aftermath of the "War to End All Wars," a movement led by Farran Zerbe, the former president of the American Numismatic Association, gained momentum. Its goal: to issue a coin that would celebrate victory and commemorate the newfound peace. The Pittman Act of 1918, which authorized the melting of millions of silver dollars to aid Great Britain during the war, provided the necessary silver for the production of the new coin.

在「結束一切戰爭的戰爭」之後，由美國錢幣協會前主席法蘭·澤布（Farran Zerbe）領導的一場運動勢頭強勁。它的目標是：發行一枚硬幣來慶祝勝利並紀念新建立的和平。 1918 年的皮特曼法案授權在戰爭期間熔化數百萬銀元來援助英國，為新硬幣的生產提供了必要的白銀。

Design Competition and Controversy

設計競賽與爭議

Initially proposed as a half dollar, the coin was ultimately issued as a dollar. Prominent sculptors were invited to participate in a design competition, with Anthony de Francisci's design ultimately emerging victorious. De Francisci's Liberty portrait was inspired by his beautiful young wife, Teresa.

該硬幣最初提議以半美元發行，最終以一美元發行。著名雕塑家受邀參加設計競賽，安東尼·德·弗朗西斯的設計最終獲勝。德弗朗西斯的自由肖像的靈感來自於他年輕美麗的妻子特蕾莎。

De Francisci's original reverse design featured an eagle breaking a sword, symbolizing the disarmament of warring nations. However, some government officials objected, perceiving the image as a sign of defeat. Under orders from the Treasury Department, United States Mint Chief Engraver George T. Morgan modified the design, removing the sword without de Francisci's approval.

德弗朗西斯最初的反向設計是一隻折斷劍的鷹，象徵交戰國家的裁軍。然而，一些政府官員表示反對，認為這一形像是失敗的標誌。根據財政部的命令，美國造幣廠首席雕刻師喬治·T·摩根修改了設計，未經德弗朗西斯批准就將劍移除了。

Early Production and Relief Modifications

早期生產和浮雕修改

The first Peace dollars were struck in December 1921 for official release in January 1922. However, the high relief of these coins caused problems with striking and maintaining die life. In early 1922, the Mint ordered the relief to be lowered for all subsequent issues. The high relief 1922 circulation strikes were melted down, with only a small number of Proof versions surviving.

第一枚和平美元於 1921 年 12 月鑄造，並於 1922 年 1 月正式發行。然而，這些硬幣的高浮雕造成了鑄造和維持模具壽命的問題。 1922 年初，造幣廠下令降低所有後續發行的浮雕。 1922 年流通的高浮雕版本已被熔化，僅存有少量精製版。

A Coin's Fate

一枚硬幣的命運

Peace dollars were minted annually through 1928 and again in 1934 and 1935 as backing for silver certificates. Unfortunately, the Peace dollar proved to be no more successful than the Morgan as a circulating coin, except in some rural areas of the American West.

1928 年之前每年都會鑄造和平美元，並於 1934 年和 1935 年再次鑄造，作為銀券的支持。不幸的是，事實證明，除了美國西部的一些農村地區外，和平美元作為流通硬幣並不比摩根幣更成功。

A Brief Resurgence and a Mystery

短暫的復興和一個謎

Remarkably, in 1964, Congress authorized a program to strike 45 million Peace dollars. Over 316,076 1964-dated coins were struck at the Denver Mint, but objections arose about issuing a coin seemingly designed to benefit special interests. Rising silver prices also played a role. The Treasury halted further production and ordered all 1964-D Peace dollars to be melted down.

值得注意的是，1964 年，國會批准了一項籌集 4,500 萬和平美元的計畫。丹佛鑄幣廠鑄造了超過 316,076 枚 1964 年的硬幣，但對於發行這種看似旨在有利於特殊利益的硬幣，出現了反對意見。白銀價格上漲也起了一定作用。財政部停止了進一步的生產，並下令熔化所有 1964 年 D 和平美元。

None of the struck coins were monetized, making them illegal to own. As far as is known, all 1964-D dollars were recalled and melted. However, rumors persist that at least one example is secretly held by a wealthy collector. The allure of the mythical mid-century Peace dollar was further heightened when PCGS announced a $10,000 reward for the opportunity to see and authenticate one.

這些鑄造的硬幣都沒有被貨幣化，因此擁有它們是非法的。據了解，所有 1964 年 D 版美元都被召回並融化。然而，有傳言稱，至少有一個例子是由一位富有的收藏家秘密持有的。當 PCGS 宣布懸賞 10,000 美元以獎勵參觀和鑑定和平美元的機會時，神秘的中世紀和平美元的吸引力進一步增強。

The Peace Dollar's Legacy

和平美元的遺產

The Peace dollar remains one of the most popular and widely collected U.S. coins. Nearly two million coins from this series have been graded by CAC, NGC, and PCGS. The value of a Peace dollar is tied to the current silver spot price with a numismatic premium of approximately $5 to $10, depending on condition. Certified coins in higher grades command significant premiums.

和平一美元仍然是最受歡迎和最廣泛收藏的美國硬幣之一。該系列近 200 萬枚硬幣已通過 CAC、NGC 和 PCGS 評級。和平美元的價值與當前白銀現貨價格掛鉤，根據狀況，錢幣溢價約為 5 至 10 美元。較高等級的認證硬幣可賺取可觀的溢價。

The Peace dollar has also been the subject of numerous die varieties, known as VAMS. Some are pronounced, while others require expert knowledge to identify. The Cherrypicker's Guide by Bill Fivaz and J.T. Stanton enumerates some of the most popular Peace dollar varieties.

和平銀元也成為眾多模具品種（即 VAMS）的主題。有些是發音的，而有些則需要專業知識才能識別。 Bill Fivaz 和 J.T. 的《Cherrypicker 指南》史丹頓列舉了一些最受歡迎的和平美元品種。

A Centennial Tribute

百年紀念

In 2021, to mark the centennial of both the 1921 Morgan dollar and the 1921 Peace dollar, Congress passed a bill authorizing the production of commemorative Morgan and Peace silver dollar coins. The Mint used advanced computer technology to scan the original designs, ensuring that the modern versions closely resembled their predecessors.

2021年，為了紀念1921年摩根銀元和1921和平銀元百年紀念，國會通過了一項法案，授權生產摩根銀元和和平銀元紀念幣。造幣廠使用先進的電腦技術掃描原始設計，確保現代版本與其前身非常相似。

The Future of the Peace Dollar

和平美元的未來

While the modern Peace dollar and Morgan dollar coins are not considered true Peace dollars by CoinWeek, they remain numismatic tribute coins that pay homage to the legacy of this iconic American coin. The Peace dollar, with its enduring beauty and historical significance, will undoubtedly continue to captivate collectors and enthusiasts for generations to come.

雖然現代和平美元和摩根美元硬幣不被 CoinWeek 視為真正的和平美元，但它們仍然是錢幣貢幣，旨在向這一標誌性美國硬幣的遺產致敬。和平美元以其持久的美麗和歷史意義，無疑將繼續吸引子孫後代的收藏家和愛好者。