硬幣的歷史：從呂底亞人到珀斯鑄幣廠的寶石龜

雖然發明貨幣的確切人尚不清楚，但已知的第一個使用硬幣的人是生活在現在土耳其境內的古代民族呂底亞人。

The first known use of coins is credited to the Lydians, an ancient people who lived in what is now Turkey. One notable example is the Lydian Lion coin, made from silver or gold and engraved with a lion. Ancient coins like these featured recurring symbols and images to convey meanings and values important to their societies, serving as both daily currency and storehouses of wealth—many of which are now worth thousands.

已知的第一個使用硬幣的人是呂底亞人，他們是居住在現在土耳其境內的古代民族。一個著名的例子是呂底亞獅子硬幣，由銀或金製成，刻有獅子。像這樣的古代硬幣具有反覆出現的符號和圖像，以傳達對其社會重要的意義和價值，既可以作為日常貨幣，也可以作為財富的倉庫——其中許多現在價值數千美元。

Fast forward to today, and the tradition of using animal motifs on coins continues, blending artistry with symbolism. Iconic examples include the Panda in China and the Bald Eagle in the USA.

快進到今天，在硬幣上使用動物圖案的傳統仍在繼續，將藝術性與象徵意義融為一體。標誌性的例子包括中國的熊貓和美國的禿鷹。

The Perth Mint’s journey with animal motifs began with the 1946 release of the shilling, featuring a merino ram designed by George Kruger Gray, an English artist renowned for his coinage designs and stained-glass windows. Over the decades, The Perth Mint has introduced iconic designs such as the kangaroo, koala, and kookaburra. These designs not only convey the broader tradition of using animals to represent interpretive symbolic meanings—like the kangaroo symbolising agility and progress, the koala representing tranquillity and unique charm, and the kookaburra embodying joy and the wild spirit—but also specifically celebrates Australia’s unique wildlife.

珀斯造幣廠的動物圖案之旅始於1946 年發行的先令，其圖案是一隻由英國藝術家喬治·克魯格·格雷(George Kruger Gray) 設計的美利奴公羊，喬治·克魯格·格雷(George Kruger Gray) 以其錢幣設計和彩色玻璃窗而聞名。幾十年來，珀斯造幣廠推出了袋鼠、無尾熊和笑翠鳥等標誌性設計。這些設計不僅傳達了使用動物來代表解釋性象徵意義的更廣泛的傳統——例如袋鼠象徵著敏捷和進步，無尾熊代表著寧靜和獨特的魅力，笑翠鳥象徵著歡樂和野性精神——而且也特別慶祝了澳洲獨特的野生動物。

How does it all come together? It all starts with a talented graphic designer’s concept, which is then meticulously transferred onto a blank coin. This process is lengthy and time-consuming, requiring precision to create a flawless and durable ‘stamp’ that leaves a crisp, clear impression with every strike.

這一切是如何結合在一起的？這一切都始於一位才華橫溢的平面設計師的概念，然後精心地將其轉移到一枚空白硬幣上。這個過程漫長且耗時，需要精確度來製作完美且耐用的“印記”，每次敲擊都會留下清晰的印象。

Add some precious jewels into the mix and that design and the coin’s creation becomes much, more complex.

再加上一些珍貴的珠寶，設計和硬幣的創作就會變得更加複雜。

Such is the case with the release of The Perth Mint’s latest Masterpieces range - The Jewelled Turtle – which features the finest natural diamonds and highlights the Mint’s numismatic artistry and expert craftmanship and precision.

珀斯造幣廠發布的最新傑作系列——寶石海龜就是這樣的例子，它採用最優質的天然鑽石，凸顯了造幣廠的錢幣藝術、專業工藝和精確度。

Coin designer Natasha Muhl explains how personal and cultural connections influence her designs.

硬幣設計師 Natasha Muhl 解釋了個人和文化聯繫如何影響她的設計。

“I was raised in the Kimberley, an extraordinary natural environment offering pristine white beaches and a translucent turquoise sea,” Muhl shared.

「我在金伯利長大，這裡擁有非凡的自然環境，擁有原始的白色海灘和半透明的碧綠大海，」穆爾分享道。

“Six of the world’s seven species of sea turtles are found in Kimberley waters, and five of those are known to nest there so they really are special animals to me.”

“世界上七種海龜中有六種是在金伯利水域發現的，其中五種已知在那裡築巢，所以它們對我來說確實是特殊的動物。”

Muhl’s design process for the coin involved creating a piece with an overall sense of harmony.

穆爾的硬幣設計過程涉及創造一件具有整體和諧感的作品。

“I focused on thematic elements looking their finest to convey the beauty and tranquillity of the marine world while treating the sea turtle with maximum reverence.”

“我專注於主題元素，以最好的方式傳達海洋世界的美麗和寧靜，同時以最大的敬意對待海龜。”

Ms Muhl also noted the huge team effort it takes to produce a coin such as The Jewelled Turtle.

穆爾女士也指出，生產「寶石海龜」這樣的硬幣需要付出巨大的團隊努力。

“Through extensive collaboration with our coining division and the jewellery team, my artwork went from pen and paper to an exquisite, bejewelled piece in a gratifying and exciting process,” she said.

「透過與我們的鑄幣部門和珠寶團隊的廣泛合作，我的藝術品從筆和紙變成了一件精美的珠寶作品，這是一個令人欣喜和令人興奮的過程，」她說。

General Manager of Minted Products Neil Vance says it is this collaboration that results in the jewelled series being so popular with collectors.

Minted Products 總經理 Neil Vance 表示，正是這種合作使得珠寶系列如此受到收藏家的歡迎。

“For seven years now we have brought together the skills and artistry of our people to create the most stunning collectables featuring Australian precious gems in Australian precious metals,” Mr Vance said.

「七年來，我們匯集了員工的技能和藝術才能，以澳洲貴金屬中的澳洲寶石為特色，創造出最令人驚嘆的收藏品，」萬斯先生說。

“Our Jewelled Series is the crown jewel (pardon the pun!) of The Perth Mint’s animal-themed coins. They showcase both our coining expertise as well as some of the most beautiful diamonds from Australia.”

「我們的珠寶系列是珀斯造幣廠動物主題硬幣的皇冠上的寶石（請原諒這個雙關語！）。它們展示了我們的鑄造專業知識以及一些來自澳大利亞的最美麗的鑽石。

Established during Western Australia’s gold rush in 1899 as a branch of Britain’s Royal Mint, The Perth Mint was transferred to the Western Australian government in 1970. It is Australia’s oldest remaining operating mint and a leading gold and silver refiner and manufacturer of high-quality precious metal coins and minted products.

珀斯鑄幣廠於1899 年西澳大利亞淘金熱期間成立，是英國皇家造幣廠的一個分支機構，並於1970 年移交給西澳大利亞政府。領先的金銀精煉商和高品質貴金屬製造商。

Visit The Perth Mint to view the stunning Jewelled Turtle and other animal-themed coins or for more information, visit the website.

參觀珀斯鑄幣廠，觀賞令人驚嘆的寶石龜和其他動物主題硬幣，或了解更多信息，請訪問網站。