罕見的盎格魯撒克遜金幣出土，估計價值可贖回國王的贖金

金屬探測器發現了一枚在埃克伯特國王（802-839 年）統治時期鑄造的盎格魯-撒克遜金幣。這枚稀有的 30 便士曼庫斯，其純度與天然未精煉的黃金一致，預計拍賣價格在 150,000 英鎊至 200,000 英鎊之間。專家認為，它很可能是為了儀式或高地位的支付而生產的，並且是英格蘭當時已知的僅存的九枚金幣之一。

Rare Anglo-Saxon Gold Coin Unearthed, Expected to Fetch a King's Ransom

罕見的盎格魯撒克遜金幣出土，有望換取國王的贖金

Archaeological history has been rewritten with the discovery of an extraordinary Anglo-Saxon gold coin that is poised to shatter auction records and captivate collectors worldwide. This exquisite artifact, dating back to the golden age of the West Saxon kingdom, stands as a testament to the craftsmanship and opulence of a bygone era.

隨著一枚非凡的盎格魯-撒克遜金幣的發現，考古歷史被改寫，這枚金幣有望打破拍賣記錄並吸引全世界的收藏家。這件精美的手工藝品可以追溯到西撒克遜王國的黃金時代，是過去時代的工藝和富裕的證明。

Unveiled by a dedicated metal detectorist in West Dean, nestled on the border of Wiltshire and Hampshire in March 2020, this remarkable Gold Penny, or Mancus of 30 Pence, has sent shockwaves through the numismatic community. Its unparalleled significance stems from its scarcity, with this specimen standing as the sole known gold coin from the reign of King Ecgberht in private hands.

2020 年3 月，這枚非凡的金便士（即30 便士曼庫斯）由位於威爾特郡和漢普郡邊境的西迪恩市的一位專業金屬探測器專家揭幕，在錢幣界引起了軒然大波。其無與倫比的重要性源於其稀缺性，這是埃格伯特國王統治時期唯一已知的私人持有的金幣。

Ecgberht, the formidable King of the West Saxons, ruled from 802 to 839, leaving an indelible mark on Anglo-Saxon history. During his reign, he cemented West Saxon dominance over rival kingdoms, paving the way for the eventual unification of England. This gold coin serves as a tangible testament to his power and prosperity.

埃格伯特是令人敬畏的西撒克遜國王，他在位 802 年至 839 年，在盎格魯撒克遜歷史上留下了不可磨滅的印記。在他的統治期間，他鞏固了西撒克遜對敵對王國的統治地位，為英格蘭的最終統一鋪平了道路。這枚金幣是他權力和繁榮的有形證明。

Weighing a mere 4.82g, the coin presents an intricate tapestry of artistry, featuring the inscription "Ecgbeorht Rex" (King Ecgberht) encircling a monogram of the word "Saxon." This exquisite design reflects the skilled craftsmanship of Anglo-Saxon artisans, who imbued their works with both symbolic and aesthetic value.

這枚硬幣僅重 4.82 克，呈現出錯綜複雜的藝術氣息，刻有“Ecgbeorht Rex”（埃克伯特國王）銘文，周圍環繞著“撒克遜”一詞的字母組合。這種精美的設計體現了盎格魯撒克遜工匠的精湛工藝，他們的作品賦予了象徵意義和美學價值。

Experts at Dix Noonan Webb, the esteemed auction house entrusted with the sale, have conducted meticulous analysis of the coin, revealing its exceptional composition. Crafted from "high-purity gold," with trace elements of silver and copper, it epitomizes the natural beauty and durability of the precious metal.

負責此次拍賣的著名拍賣行迪克斯·努南·韋伯 (Dix Noonan Webb) 的專家對這枚硬幣進行了細緻的分析，揭示了其獨特的成分。它由「高純度黃金」製成，含有微量銀和銅元素，體現了貴金屬的自然美感和耐用性。

Remarkably, the coin's surface bears no signs of damage from use as jewelry, suggesting it was most likely intended for ceremonial or high-status payments. This pristine condition further enhances its allure, making it a highly coveted acquisition for discerning collectors.

值得注意的是，這枚硬幣的表面沒有因用作珠寶而受到損壞的跡象，這表明它很可能是用於儀式或高地位的付款。這種原始的狀態進一步增強了它的吸引力，使其成為挑剔的收藏家夢寐以求的收藏。

"It is an immense privilege to present this extraordinary coin," exclaimed Peter Preston-Morley, Head of the Coin Department at Dix Noonan Webb. "Its discovery has rewritten our understanding of Anglo-Saxon gold coinage, as such coins were previously thought to be extinct."

Dix Noonan Webb 硬幣部門負責人 Peter Preston-Morley 感嘆道：“能夠推出這枚非凡的硬幣是我的榮幸。” “它的發現改寫了我們對盎格魯撒克遜金幣的理解，因為這種硬幣以前被認為已經滅絕了。”

Mr. Preston-Morley elaborated on the significance of the mancus, a gold denomination that originated in Italy and gained currency in England prior to 800 AD. This extremely valuable coin would have commanded enormous purchasing power, with a single mancus equating to approximately 360 loaves of wheat bread.

Preston-Morley 先生詳細闡述了曼庫斯的重要性，曼庫斯是一種黃金面額，起源於義大利，並於公元 800 年之前在英國流行。這種價值極高的硬幣具有巨大的購買力，一枚曼庫斯相當於約 360 條小麥麵包。

The precise occasion for the minting of this coin remains shrouded in mystery, as records from Ecgberht's reign are scarce. However, its existence points to a period of stability and prosperity, when the West Saxons asserted their dominance over neighboring kingdoms.

由於埃格伯特統治時期的記錄很少，這枚硬幣的確切鑄造時間仍然籠罩在神秘之中。然而，它的存在預示著一段穩定和繁榮的時期，當時西撒克遜人聲稱對鄰國擁有統治地位。

Scheduled for auction on September 8th, this Anglo-Saxon gold coin is estimated to fetch a staggering sum of £150,000 to £200,000, underscoring its unparalleled historical and numismatic value. Its discovery and impending sale have ignited a frenzy of excitement within the collecting community, as it offers a rare glimpse into the opulent world of Anglo-Saxon royalty.

這枚盎格魯撒克遜金幣定於 9 月 8 日拍賣，估價高達 15 萬至 20 萬英鎊，凸顯其無與倫比的歷史和錢幣價值。它的發現和即將出售在收藏界引發了一陣興奮，因為它讓人們得以難得一睹盎格魯撒克遜皇室的奢華世界。

This extraordinary artifact serves as a tangible reminder of a pivotal era in English history, when the seeds of a unified nation were sown. Its discovery not only enriches our understanding of the past but also provides a glimpse into the artistry and craftsmanship of a bygone age. As it graces the auction block, the Anglo-Saxon Gold Penny stands poised to captivate collectors, scholars, and enthusiasts alike, etching its name in the annals of numismatic history.

這件非凡的文物切實地提醒人們，英國歷史上的一個關鍵時代已經播下了統一國家的種子。它的發現不僅豐富了我們對過去的理解，也讓我們得以一睹過去時代的藝術和工藝。當盎格魯-撒克遜金便士亮相拍賣場時，它將吸引收藏家、學者和愛好者，並將其名字銘刻在錢幣史冊上。