「單一 9」蓋章：南非史上最令人嚮往的硬幣

一枚 1898 年南非硬幣可能是該國歷史上最受追捧的硬幣，在美國的售價已超過 200 萬美元。

A unique South African coin has sold for over $2 million in the United States.

一枚獨特的南非硬幣在美國售價超過 200 萬美元。

The Republic gold “9” Pond 1898 MS63 Prooflike NGC from the Pretoria mint is thought to be the most valuable coin in the country’s history.

由比勒陀利亞造幣廠出品的共和國「9」池 1898 年 MS63 精製 NGC 金幣被認為是該國歷史上最有價值的硬幣。

It also marks an important moment in South African history and its journey is well documented.

它也標誌著南非歷史上的一個重要時刻，其歷程有據可查。

It is best known to collectors as the “Single 9 Overstamp”.

它被收藏家稱為“單張 9 蓋章”。

That overstamp tells the story of the coin’s birth, at precisely 10:30am, on November 2, 1898.

那個蓋印講述了硬幣誕生的故事，時間是 1898 年 11 月 2 日上午 10 點 30 分。

As the mint at Pretoria prepared new issue gold ponds they were missing the dies for the reverse of the coin. They had been seized by British troops, who were about to open hostilities in the Empire’s second war against the Boer Republic of South Africa.

當比勒陀利亞造幣廠準備新發行的金池時，他們缺少硬幣背面的模具。他們被英國軍隊佔領，當時英國軍隊即將在帝國對南非布爾共和國的第二次戰爭中發動敵對行動。

So they improvised. Stamping the date – 1899 for the following year – onto each coin with a hand punch.

所以他們即興發揮。用手工打孔機在每枚硬幣上印上日期（隔年為 1899 年）。

The coin first sold was the first to be struck. But, immediately it became obvious that the 9 digit was too big. It was replaced after just one coin had been struck with the oversized number.

最先出售的硬幣是最先鑄造的。但是，很快就發現 9 位數太大了。僅在一枚硬幣被鑄造出超大數字後，它就被更換了。

The 9 is plainly too big, pushing up into the Paul Kruger portrait, and so a new numeral stamp was found. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions.

9 顯然太大了，擠進了保羅克魯格的肖像中，因此發現了一個新的數位郵票。圖片由Heritage 拍賣行提供。

This first coin was then given to the US Consul General, C E Macrum.

這第一枚硬幣隨後被贈送給美國總領事 CE Macrum。

Macrum was thought to be sympathetic to the Boers.

馬克魯姆被認為同情布爾人。

He certainly treasured the coin, and had it inscribed with an “M”.

他當然很珍惜這枚硬幣，並在上面刻了「M」。

It was next found in one of the most famous coin collections of all time, that of King Farouk of Egypt’s. The Single 9 was bought – at a knock-down price the result of confused cataloging of Farouk’s enormous collection – by Dr Froelich, a South African collector.

接下來，它在埃及國王法魯克的硬幣收藏中被發現，這是有史以​​來最著名的硬幣收藏之一。 Single 9 是由南非收藏家 Froelich 博士以極低的價格購買的，原因是法魯克的大量藏品編目混亂。

It was subsequently sold in 1969 (for around $3,550), in 1983 ($123,000) and by private sales in 1999 ($790,000) and 2001 (around $1.3 million).

它隨後於 1969 年（約 3,550 美元）、1983 年（約 123,000 美元）、1999 年（約 79 萬美元）和 2001 年（約 130 萬美元）透過私人拍賣出售。

The last sale was for a reported $2,700,000 in 2010.

據報道，最後一次拍賣是在 2010 年，成交價為 2,700,000 美元。

Heritage Auctions auctioned it for $2,160,000 (with buyer’s premium) on Monday, January 13.

Heritage Auctions 於 1 月 13 日星期一以 2,160,000 美元（含買家佣金）拍賣了它。

Heritage said: “The 1898 Kruger Pond, distinguished by its unique “9” overstamp, is considered a singular treasure within the realm of ZAR coins and is widely regarded as the most prestigious piece in South African numismatics.

Heritage 表示：「1898 年的克魯格池塘以其獨特的「9」蓋章而著稱，被認為是南非蘭特硬幣領域的奇珍異寶，並被廣泛認為是南非錢幣學中最負盛名的作品。

“The coin’s value extends beyond mere rarity and historical importance in ZAR coinage; it also possesses a profound connection to South Africa’s national history, ties to U.S. historical events, and a vibrant story surrounding its ownership and journey. The time has come to turn a new leaf in its history, finding the next keeper of this treasured legend of numismatic history.”

「該硬幣的價值不僅在於南非蘭特硬幣的稀有性和歷史重要性；它也與南非的國家歷史、美國的歷史事件以及圍繞其所有權和旅程的充滿活力的故事有著深刻的聯繫。是時候翻開其歷史新的一頁，尋找這個錢幣歷史上珍貴傳奇的下一位守護者了。

The Single 9 is by some distance the most valuable South African coin.

Single 9 無疑是南非最有價值的硬幣。

Double 9 ponds from the same war-struck issue are also valuable, with a value of up to 4 million rands, about £175,000.

來自同一受戰爭影響的雙 9 池塘也很有價值，價值高達 400 萬蘭特，約 175,000 英鎊。

The 19th century history of European colonies in South Africa is linked to gold. It’s appropriate that one of its most valuable tangible artefacts is made of the stuff.

南非 19 世紀歐洲殖民地的歷史與黃金有關。它最有價值的有形文物之一是由這種材料製成的，這是恰當的。