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Sale 91
June 2016 Pre-Long Beach
| Midwestern Family Collection - $4 Gold |
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Lot 1581 |
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1879 $4 Gold. Flowing Hair. Mount Removed but the evidence of this is not visible unless the rim is closely examined, thus the obverse and reverse face up really well. This is one of the classic rarities of the entire gold production by our country. Only 425 minted, and these "Stellas" have been sought after since the day they were struck by collectors far and wide. First off the denomination certainly did not "fit" into our decimal system very well, and the value of $4 was very close to the well established $5 half eagle.
The concept of the $4 Stella was for a trade coin that would circulate internationally. Engraver Charles E. Barber designed the Flowing Hair dies while the Coiled Hair dies were engraved by George T. Morgan. Few collectors have a chance to own one of the $4 coins because of their lofty value, and the present example will certainly please one lucky bidder who finally gets to show off this prized rarity after winning it in our auction. Worn as jewelry a long time ago but the surfaces are generally attractive. Light golden toning and appealing.
This particular Stella offers possible confirmation of the widely reported use of Stellas by Congressmen to pay for certain favors from the madames of the popular bordellos in the Washington DC area. Walter Breen, in his Encyclopedia noted that collectors of 1879 could never obtain a Stella from the Mint Bureau, but congressmen could order and receive these handsome coins which soon became favorites of the madams, and many were looped for wearing in a necklace. Perhaps this is one of these famous pieces, which worked its way back into the numismatic marketplace! Oh the stories it could tell (PCGS # 8057) Estimated Value $20,000 - 25,000
Ex. US Gold from a prominent midwestern family collection.
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$64,625 |
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