“单一 9”盖章：南非历史上最令人向往的硬币

一枚 1898 年南非硬币可能是该国历史上最受追捧的硬币，在美国的售价已超过 200 万美元。

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

一枚独特的南非硬币在美国售价超过 200 万美元。

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.

比勒陀利亚造币厂出品的共和国“9”池 1898 年 MS63 精制 NGC 金币被认为是该国历史上最有价值的硬币。

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

它也标志着南非历史上的一个重要时刻，其历程有据可查。

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

它被收藏家称为“单张 9 盖章”。

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

那个盖印讲述了硬币诞生的故事，时间是 1898 年 11 月 2 日上午 10 点 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.

当比勒陀利亚造币厂准备新发行的金池时，他们缺少硬币背面的模具。它们被英国军队占领，当时英国军队即将在帝国与南非布尔共和国的第二次战争中展开敌对行动。

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

所以他们即兴发挥。用手打孔在每枚硬币上印上日期（次年为 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.

最先出售的硬币是最先铸造的。但是，很快就发现 9 位数太大了。仅在一枚硬币被铸造出超大数字后，它就被更换了。

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 显然太大了，挤进了保罗·克鲁格的肖像中，因此发现了一个新的数字邮票。图片由Heritage 拍卖行提供。

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

这第一枚硬币随后被赠送给美国总领事 CE Macrum。

Macrum was thought to be sympathetic to the Boers.

马克鲁姆被认为同情布尔人。

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

他当然很珍惜这枚硬币，并在上面刻上了“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.

接下来，它在埃及国王法鲁克的硬币收藏中被发现，这是有史以来最著名的硬币收藏之一。 Single 9 是由南非收藏家 Froelich 博士以极低的价格购买的，原因是法鲁克的大量藏品编目混乱。

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).

它随后于 1969 年（约 3,550 美元）、1983 年（约 123,000 美元）、1999 年（约 790,000 美元）和 2001 年（约 130 万美元）通过私人拍卖出售。

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

据报道，最后一次拍卖是在 2010 年，成交价为 2,700,000 美元。

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

Heritage Auctions 于 1 月 13 日星期一以 2,160,000 美元（含买家佣金）拍卖了它。

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 年的克鲁格池塘以其独特的“9”盖章而著称，被认为是南非兰特硬币领域的奇珍异宝，并被广泛认为是南非钱币学中最负盛名的作品。

“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.”

“该硬币的价值不仅仅在于南非兰特硬币的稀有性和历史重要性；它还与南非的国家历史、美国的​​历史事件以及围绕其所有权和旅程的充满活力的故事有着深刻的联系。是时候翻开其历史新的一页，寻找这个钱币历史上珍贵传奇的下一位守护者了。”

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

Single 9 在某种程度上是南非最有价值的硬币。

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

来自同一受战争影响的双 9 池塘也很有价值，价值高达 400 万兰特，约合 175,000 英镑。

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 世纪欧洲殖民地的历史与黄金有关。它最有价值的有形文物之一是由这种材料制成的，这是恰当的。