1879 $4 Flowing Hair, Judd-1635, Pollock-1833, JD-1, R.3, PR65 PCGS. CAC....

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1879 Flowing Hair Stella, PR65
Judd-1635, CAC Approved
Coveted Gold Pattern Issue

1879 $4 Flowing Hair, Judd-1635, Pollock-1833, JD-1, R.3, PR65 PCGS. CAC. The stella is perhaps the gold pattern coin that has gained the most mainstream numismatic attention, as evidenced by its long-standing placement among the regular issue gold series of the Guide Book. While the Coiled Hair variants and the 1880 Flowing Hair are major rarities typically acquired only by the most advanced collectors, well-heeled "ordinary" collectors will have somewhat regular opportunities to acquire the 1879 Flowing Hair issue. Thus, such a coin is essentially a must-have for a complete gold type set. Patient type collectors will pass by the large number of impaired and low-grade pieces on the market and wait for a nice Gem, such as this CAC-endorsed PCGS coin.

The stella came into existence as part of a campaign to create an international trade coin that could trade on par with the gold coins of Latin Monetary Union member-countries, like the French 20 francs, Austrian 8 florins, and others. In the past, Representative John A. Kasson was widely credited with this idea, although Roger Burdette suggests Kasson's association with the stella is not as deep as previously believed. Rather, it was Philadelphia patent lawyer and inventor, Dr. William Wheeler Hubbell who campaigned for the four dollar gold piece as part of a proposal to create an entire metric coinage system that would use his own patented goloid alloy. Hubbell's proposal, at least as far as the stella was concerned, was doomed from the start, as a four dollar U.S. gold piece, while it would closely approximate the European coins in value, would not perfectly equal any of them. Thus, the whole idea was functionally useless -- something Representative Kasson would have known, but Hubbell conveniently ignored. Still, support in the Senate committee for Hubbell's idea led to the Mint creating various patterns of Hubbell's coins. The most famous of these are the stellas, some of which were struck in coin gold. The 1879 Flowing gold stella was sold to congressmen in sets along with other goloid patterns. This distribution to non-numismatic hands would ultimately create the pantheon of grades known today, including everything from Gem and better rarities to low-grade impaired pieces used as jewelry.

The current Gem boasts CAC endorsement and is one of only nine non-Cameos in this grade to do so. Deeply reflective fields yield rich orange-gold color beneath a touch of dusky patina, while the devices are frosty. The high points of Liberty's portrait show minor softness and planchet draw lines, as is typical of many 1879 Flowing Hair stellas. The eye appeal of this piece exceptional for the grade, and the coin would make an ideal type candidate for this coveted gold pattern. PCGS Population: 29 in 65, 32 finer (11/25).

Coin Index Numbers: (Variety PCGS# 106660, Base PCGS# 8057)

Weight: 7.00 grams

Metal: 86% Gold, 4% Silver, 10% Copper

View Certification Details from PCGS