1000 万美元硬币：罕见的美国钱币标本

在美国有一种罕见的硬币价值高达 1000 万美元，令人难以置信，人们很可能在四处走动时没有意识到自己的口袋里藏着一笔财富。

There’s a rare coin in the United States that’s worth an incredible $10 million, and people could be walking around unaware that they hold a fortune in their pocket. The item in question is a $1 specimen that was minted in the 1790s, and while it’s not the most valuable US coin there is, coming across one could quite literally change a person’s life.

在美国有一种罕见的硬币价值令人难以置信的 1000 万美元，人们可能在四处走动时并没有意识到自己的口袋里藏着一笔财富。该物品是一枚 1790 年代铸造的 1 美元硬币，虽然它不是最有价值的美国硬币，但遇到一枚硬币确实可以改变一个人的生活。

In the world of numismatics, which refers to the study or collection of coins, banknotes, or medals, three factors determine the value of a coin: rarity, condition or grade, and demand or market conditions. When the newly formed United States started minting coins after the Coinage Act of 1792 was established, the US Mint was authorized to produce copper, silver, and gold units both for general circulation and reserved for special occasions. The first mint was built in Philadelphia and the process of producing coins was slow, intensive, and imprecise. One of the very first—if not the first—American coins ever minted was the 1794 “Flowing Hair” Silver Dollar.

在钱币学领域，即对硬币、纸币或奖章的研究或收藏，硬币的价值由三个因素决定：稀有性、状况或等级，以及需求或市场状况。 1792 年《铸币法》制定后，新成立的美国开始铸造硬币，美国造币厂被授权生产铜、银和金币，既可用于一般流通，也可用于特殊场合。第一个造币厂建于费城，硬币的生产过程缓慢、密集且不精确。 1794 年的“飘逸长发”银元是美国最早铸造的硬币之一。

Lady Liberty “Flowing Hair” coin would fetch you a mansion in worth

自由女神“飘逸的长发”硬币将为您带来价值一栋豪宅

In 2013, a 1794 “Flowing Hair” Silver Dollar was sold at auction for an incredible $10 million, which set a world record for the highest price ever paid for a collectible coin at the time. This is about the same value as a seven-bedroom mansion in Miami. In 2021, a 1933 Double Eagle dollar fetched almost $19 million, setting a new record, but the “Flowing Hair” dollar is still among the most sought-after specimens in the world due to its historical significance.

2013年，一枚1794年的“流发”银元在拍卖会上以令人难以置信的1000万美元成交，创下了当时收藏硬币最高售价的世界纪录。这与迈阿密七居室豪宅的价值大致相同。 2021 年，一枚 1933 年双鹰银币以近 1900 万美元成交，创下新纪录，但“飘逸长发”银元因其历史意义，仍然是世界上最抢手的标本之一。

When the Philadelphia Mint started producing the silver dollar in October 1794, 1,758 “Flowing Hair” dollars were struck in a day. However, these were not for general circulation; at his discretion, the mint director could hand them out to dignitaries or similar important people as souvenirs.

1794 年 10 月，费城铸币厂开始生产银元，一天铸造了 1,758 枚“飘逸长发”银元。然而，这些并不用于一般流通；造币厂长可以酌情将它们作为纪念品送给政要或类似的重要人物。

The “Flowing Hair” Silver Dollar was a cut above the rest

“飘逸的头发”银元比其他银元更胜一筹

The 1794 “Flowing Hair” dollar was born at a time of immense historical significance for the United States of America. In the 1970s, silver and gold were hard to come by as the nation was still in some upheaval after the Revolutionary War against Great Britain. Being able to mint coins was a way to prove that the United States could create its own functioning currency, which it achieved admirably. David Mudd of the American Numismatic Association explains the context of the Silver Dollar:

1794 年“飘逸长发”美元诞生于对美利坚合众国具有巨大历史意义的时期。 20 世纪 70 年代，由于英国独立战争后国家仍处于动荡之中，白银和黄金很难获得。能够铸造硬币是证明美国可以创造自己的可运作货币的一种方式，它取得了令人钦佩的成就。美国钱币协会的戴维·穆德 (David Mudd) 解释了银元的背景：

“It was basically more of a PR marketing event. This was the first dollar and they wanted to make as much of a splash as they could. The Flowing Hair design was produced by the Mint as a first representation of liberty. Taking the idea from the ancient Romans where they used female figures—sometimes male figures—to represent concepts such as liberty or freedom.”

“这基本上更像是一次公关营销活动。这是第一美元，他们希望尽可能引起轰动。飘逸的头发设计由造币厂制作，作为自由的第一个代表。这个想法来自古罗马人，他们使用女性形象——有时是男性形象——来代表自由等概念。”

Mudded added that on close examination, the details on the “Flowing Hair” dollar that was sold for $10 million at auction in 2013 reveal that it may well be the first coin ever struck from the original die. It’s estimated that a maximum of 150 of the originals still exist, making it as rare as it gets.

Mudded 补充道，经过仔细检查，2013 年拍卖会上以 1000 万美元成交的“飘逸长发”一美元的细节显示，它很可能是第一枚用原始模具铸造的硬币。据估计，原件至今最多还存有 150 件，非常稀有。

US Mint is planning a resurrection with an American Liberty version

美国造币厂正计划复活美国自由女神版

The US Mint announced that it was considering releasing a series of American Liberty silver medal coins in the 2020s and that the Commission of Fine Arts and Citizens Coinage Advisory would assess the design submissions. To recreate the iconic “Flowing Hair” design, a laser engraving technique will be employed, which is a process far removed from what it would have been when coins were minted in the 18th century.

美国造币厂宣布，正在考虑在 2020 年代发行一系列美国自由银质纪念币，美术和公民铸币咨询委员会将对提交的设计进行评估。为了重现标志性的“飘逸头发”设计，将采用激光雕刻技术，这一工艺与 18 世纪铸造硬币时的工艺相去甚远。

Where is the $10 million “Flowing Hair” Silver Dollar now?

价值1000万美元的“流发”银元现在在哪里？

The oldest auction house dealing with rare coins in the United States, Stack’s Bowers, explained what it is about Lady Liberty on this coin’s face that makes the specimen so precious:

美国最古老的稀有硬币拍卖行 Stack's Bowers 解释了这枚硬币正面的自由女神像为何如此珍贵：

“Lady Liberty’s curls show incredible definition, even in their highest relief above Liberty’s ear, just as the feathers of the eagle that show all the fine nuances.”

“自由女神的卷发展现出令人难以置信的清晰度，即使在自由女神耳朵上方的最高浮雕中，就像鹰的羽毛显示出所有细微差别一样。”

The item that collected $10 million at the 2013 auction was sold to Bruce Morelan, an American businessman and numismatist who paid exactly $10,016,875. He then sold it to GreatCollections auction house in 2022 for $12 million, a decent profit.

这件在 2013 年拍卖会上拍出 1,000 万美元的物品被卖给了美国商人兼钱币学家布鲁斯·莫兰 (Bruce Morelan)，他的价格恰好为 10,016,875 美元。然后他于 2022 年将其以 1200 万美元的价格卖给了 GreatCollections 拍卖行，利润可观。