宁静的新时代：和平美元的诞生

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

和平新时代：和平美元的诞生

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战恐怖之后希望和乐观主义的深刻象征，也是人类精神坚韧的证明。它的创作是著名雕塑家和政府官员的共同努力，标志着美国钱币学的新篇章。

The Genesis of a Coin

硬币的起源

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“以战争结束一切战争”之后，由美国钱币协会前主席法兰·泽布（Farran Zerbe）领导的一场运动势头强劲。它的目标：发行一枚硬币来庆祝胜利并纪念新建立的和平。 1918 年的皮特曼法案授权在战争期间熔化数百万银元来援助英国，为新硬币的生产提供了必要的白银。

Design Competition and Controversy

设计竞赛与争议

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.

该硬币最初提议以半美元发行，最终以一美元发行。著名雕塑家受邀参加设计竞赛，安东尼·德·弗朗西斯的设计最终获胜。德弗朗西斯的自由肖像的灵感来自于他年轻美丽的妻子特蕾莎。

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设计是一只折断剑的鹰，象征着交战国家的裁军。然而，一些政府官员表示反对，认为这一形象是失败的标志。根据财政部的命令，美国造币厂首席雕刻师乔治·T·摩根修改了设计，未经德弗朗西斯批准就将剑移除了。

Early Production and Relief Modifications

早期生产和浮雕修改

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.

第一枚和平美元于 1921 年 12 月铸造，并于 1922 年 1 月正式发行。然而，这些硬币的高浮雕造成了铸造和维持模具寿命的问题。 1922 年初，造币厂下令降低所有后续发行的浮雕。 1922 年流通的高浮雕版本已被熔化，仅存有少量精制版。

A Coin's Fate

一枚硬币的命运

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 年之前每年都会铸造和平美元，并于 1934 年和 1935 年再次铸造，作为银券的支持。不幸的是，事实证明，除了美国西部的一些农村地区外，和平美元作为流通硬币并不比摩根币更成功。

A Brief Resurgence and a Mystery

短暂的复兴和一个谜

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，国会批准了一项筹集 4500 万和平美元的计划。丹佛铸币厂铸造了超过 316,076 枚 1964 年的硬币，但对于发行这种看似旨在有利于特殊利益的硬币，出现了反对意见。白银价格上涨也起到了一定作用。财政部停止了进一步的生产，并下令熔化所有 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.

这些铸造的硬币都没有被货币化，因此拥有它们是非法的。据了解，所有 1964 年 D 版美元都被召回并融化。然而，有传言称，至少有一个例子是由一位富有的收藏家秘密持有的。当 PCGS 宣布悬赏 10,000 美元以奖励参观和鉴定和平美元的机会时，神秘的中世纪和平美元的吸引力进一步增强。

The Peace Dollar's Legacy

和平美元的遗产

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欢迎和最广泛收藏的美国硬币之一。该系列近 200 万枚硬币已通过 CAC、NGC 和 PCGS 评级。和平美元的价值与当前白银现货价格挂钩，根据状况，钱币溢价约为 5 至 10 美元。较高等级的认证硬币可赚取可观的溢价。

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.

和平银元也成为众多模具品种（即 VAMS）的主题。有些是发音的，而另一些则需要专业知识才能识别。 Bill Fivaz 和 J.T. 的《Cherrypicker 指南》斯坦顿列举了一些最受欢迎的和平美元品种。

A Centennial Tribute

百年纪念

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，为了纪念1921年摩根银元和1921和平银元百年纪念，国会通过了一项法案，授权生产摩根银元和和平银元纪念币。造币厂使用先进的计算机技术扫描原始设计，确保现代版本与其前身非常相似。

The Future of the Peace Dollar

和平美元的未来

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.

虽然现代和平美元和摩根美元硬币不被 CoinWeek 视为真正的和平美元，但它们仍然是钱币贡币，旨在向这一标志性美国硬币的遗产致敬。和平美元以其持久的美丽和历史意义，无疑将继续吸引子孙后代的收藏家和爱好者。