一枚小小的硬币何以价值超千万美元？

　　A US silver dollar worth more than $10m has gone on display in London. But what makes this coin the most valuable in the world?

　　今日伦敦展出一枚美国银币，其价值逾一千万美元。为何这枚银币价格如此昂贵?

　　The astonishing price-tag is thanks to it ticking three all-important boxes - rarity, condition and cultural value.

　　之所以会如此昂贵，是因为它具有以下三个重要特性：稀有，保存完好和文化价值高。

　　What is known for sure is that it was one of 1,758 struck on 15 October 1794 at the fledgling Philadelphia Mint. Only about 130 survive today. It shows the figure of Liberty with long hair on one side, surrounded by 15 stars representing the 15 US states at that time. The reverse side features an eagle with its wings open and encircled by a wreath. In 1795 the Liberty flowing hair design was replaced by a draped bust design.

　　可以确定的是它是1794年10月15日生产出来的，由尚无过多铸币经验的费城铸币厂铸造而成，一天生产了1,758枚。现存130枚。一面是长发飘飘的自由女神像，由15颗星星包围着，这15颗星星象征着当时联盟内的15个州。银币的背面中央镌刻一只展开双翅立于月桂枝上的鹰。1795年头发飞扬的自由女神像换成了一个半身像。

　　The coin was evaluated by the Professional Coin Grading Service in the US. It was judged to be 66 on a scale of one to 70, which is considered to be mint condition. and is the highest quality 1794 dollar known to exist.

　　该硬币由美国专业钱币评级服务进行估价。从1到70为70个等级，它的等级是66，仍是崭新的货币，是一致现存的质量最好的硬币。

　　Experts say the coin's cultural significance is what contributes most to its hefty price tag.

　　专家称此硬币的文化意义也使其价值不菲。

　　"This coin represents the very beginning of what has become the world's most important currency," says Deeny.

　　“这枚硬币展现了如今世界上最重要的货币----美元的最初起源”，Deeny 称。

　　After declaring independence in 1776, the United States relied mostly on foreign coins like the Spanish dollar for currency. In 1792 Congress established the Mint to create a new national coinage. The first copper cents were produced in 1793 and the first silver dollars were struck a year later.

　　1776年美国宣布独立后，主要使用外国货币，比如西班牙美元。1792年，国会设立铸币局，生产新的国家钱币。第一批铜美分硬币于1793年生产出来，第二年第一批银元生产出来。