1891 年荷兰 25 分硬币：一枚稀有硬币在拍卖会上以创纪录的 100 万欧元成交

一枚罕见的荷兰硬币，1891 年发行的 25 分银币，上面刻有年轻的威廉明娜女王的肖像，在拍卖会上以 100 万欧元的惊人价格售出后成为头条新闻。

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.

一枚罕见的荷兰硬币，上面刻有年轻的威廉明娜女王的肖像，在拍卖会上以 100 万欧元的惊人价格售出，创下了荷兰硬币拍卖的新纪录。这枚 1891 年的 25 分银币是仅有的两枚银币之一，另一枚安全地存放在荷兰国家银行的收藏中。

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.

该硬币也称为 kwartje，重量仅为 3.5 克，由银制成。它的一侧是年轻的威廉明娜女王的图案，另一侧是荷兰徽章。从 1890 年到 1948 年，威廉明娜女王在荷兰统治了 50 多年，这使得她在这种稀有硬币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.

此次拍卖会由欧洲遗产拍卖行组织，收藏家之间的竞争非常激烈。起价为 300,000 欧元，出价迅速上涨，几分钟内达到 850,000 欧元。最终拍卖价格（包括拍卖费用）总计达到令人瞠目结舌的 1,045,502 欧元，打破了 1867 年双金杜卡特金币创下的 20 万欧元拍卖纪录。

"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.

“在我主持过的 100 多场拍卖中，我从来没有这么紧张过。我的手都是湿冷的，”Heritage Auctions Europe 总监雅科·谢珀斯 (Jacco Schepers) 在描述这次经历时说道。出价的迅速上涨反映了对这种独特硬币的高需求，这是收藏家真正的“圣杯”。

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.

这枚硬币的历史跨越一个多世纪，133年里只有四位拥有者。上一次拍卖是在 2001 年，它的成交价仅为 81,000 荷兰盾（约合 37,000 欧元）。它的前主人包括著名收藏家，如美国钱币收藏家 Virgil Brand 和著名的稀有硬币和邮票爱好者 Philip Ferrari de Renotière。尽管其知名度很高，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.

多种因素造就了这枚 1891 年荷兰 25 分硬币的非凡价值。首先也是最重要的是它的稀有性。由于仅铸造了两枚硬币，其中一枚已被国家收藏，因此获得另一枚的机会很小。有兴趣完成威廉敏娜硬币系列的收藏家别无选择，只能追求这件作品，而稀缺性则导致其价格飞涨。

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，这枚硬币与威廉明娜女王的历史联系及其相对较小的尺寸和重量使其更加令人着迷。钱币专家一致认为，这次拍卖可能是一生一次的大事，谢珀斯表示，“如果再次发生的话，可能还需要 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.

此次破纪录的拍卖提醒人们，稀有硬币在钱币学领域具有持久的吸引力。像这样的硬币具有内在价值，不仅因为其金属含量，还因为其稀有性、历史和文化意义。随着人们对钱币收藏的兴趣不断增长，未来拍卖界可能会看到更多这样令人兴奋的拍卖。