硬币的历史：从吕底亚人到珀斯铸币厂的宝石龟

虽然发明货币的确切人尚不清楚，但已知的第一个使用硬币的人是生活在现在土耳其境内的古代民族吕底亚人。

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.

已知的第一个使用硬币的人是吕底亚人，他们是居住在现在土耳其境内的古代民族。一个著名的例子是吕底亚狮子硬币，由银或金制成，刻有狮子。像这样的古代硬币具有反复出现的符号和图像，以传达对其社会重要的意义和价值，既可以作为日常货币，也可以作为财富的仓库——其中许多现在价值数千美元。

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.

快进到今天，在硬币上使用动物图案的传统仍在继续，将艺术性与象征意义融为一体。标志性的例子包括中国的熊猫和美国的秃鹰。

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.

珀斯造币厂的动物图案之旅始于 1946 年发行的先令，其图案是一只由英国艺术家乔治·克鲁格·格雷 (George Kruger Gray) 设计的美利奴公羊，乔治·克鲁格·格雷 (George Kruger Gray) 以其钱币设计和彩色玻璃窗而闻名。几十年来，珀斯造币厂推出了袋鼠、考拉和笑翠鸟等标志性设计。这些设计不仅传达了使用动物来代表解释性象征意义的更广泛的传统——例如袋鼠象征着敏捷和进步，考拉代表着宁静和独特的魅力，笑翠鸟象征着欢乐和野性精神——而且还特别庆祝了澳大利亚独特的野生动物。

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.

这一切是如何结合在一起的？这一切都始于一位才华横溢的平面设计师的概念，然后精心地将其转移到一枚空白硬币上。这个过程漫长且耗时，需要精确度来制作完美且耐用的“印记”，每次敲击都会留下清晰的印象。

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

添加一些珍贵的珠宝，设计和硬币的创作就会变得更加复杂。

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.

珀斯造币厂发布的最新杰作系列——宝石海龟就是这样的例子，它采用最优质的天然钻石，凸显了造币厂的钱币艺术、专业工艺和精确度。

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

硬币设计师 Natasha Muhl 解释了个人和文化联系如何影响她的设计。

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

“我在金伯利长大，这里拥有非凡的自然环境，拥有原始的白色海滩和半透明的碧绿大海，”穆尔分享道。

“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.”

“世界上七种海龟中有六种是在金伯利水域发现的，其中五种已知在那里筑巢，所以它们对我来说确实是特殊的动物。”

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

穆尔的硬币设计过程涉及创造一件具有整体和谐感的作品。

“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.”

“我专注于主题元素，以最好的方式传达海洋世界的美丽和宁静，同时以最大的敬意对待海龟。”

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

穆尔女士还指出，生产“宝石海龟”这样的硬币需要付出巨大的团队努力。

“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.

“通过与我们的铸币部门和珠宝团队的广泛合作，我的艺术品从笔和纸变成了一件精美的珠宝作品，这是一个令人欣喜和令人兴奋的过程，”她说。

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 总经理 Neil Vance 表示，正是这种合作使得珠宝系列如此受到收藏家的欢迎。

“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.

“七年来，我们汇集了我们员工的技能和艺术才能，以澳大利亚贵金属中的澳大利亚宝石为特色，创造出最令人惊叹的收藏品，”万斯先生说。

“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.”

“我们的珠宝系列是珀斯造币厂动物主题硬币的皇冠上的宝石（请原谅这个双关语！）。它们展示了我们的铸造专业知识以及一些来自澳大利亚的最美丽的钻石。”

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.

珀斯铸币厂于 1899 年西澳大利亚淘金热期间成立，是英国皇家造币厂的一个分支机构，并于 1970 年移交给西澳大利亚政府。它是澳大利亚现存最古老的仍在运营的铸币厂，也是领先的金银精炼商和高品质贵金属制造商。金属硬币和铸造产品。

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

参观珀斯铸币厂，观赏令人惊叹的宝石龟和其他动物主题硬币，或了解更多信息，请访问网站。