1879 $4 Coiled Hair Stella, Judd-1639, Pollock-1839, Low R.7, PR65 Brown PCGS. CAC....

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1879 Judd-1639 Copper Stella, PR65 Brown
George Morgan's Coiled Hair Design

1879 $4 Coiled Hair Stella, Judd-1639, Pollock-1839, Low R.7, PR65 Brown PCGS. CAC. George Morgan's famous Coiled Hair design for the proposed four dollar gold piece, or stella, as the denomination was known ("stella," of course, being the Latin word for "star" which is the design motif on the reverse). Struck in copper with a reeded edge. In gold, Coiled Hair stellas are prohibitively rare and expensive. They stand among the most avidly sought after and closely held of all American coins. Oftentimes many years pass between offerings. Only 10-15 pieces were struck in gold in each year.

When John Kasson proposed the production of four dollar gold pieces, it was for the purpose of an international coin that could easily be converted into denominations of major European countries. Sets were produced in goloid, copper, aluminum, and white metal. The wide variety of metals these coins were struck in reflects the seriousness of Kasson's proposed coinage. Flowing Hair and Coiled Hair examples were also struck in 1880 but, of course, the four dollar gold piece soon passed from the attention of Mint and government officials. The off-metal patterns are somewhat more available and cost only a fraction of the price of the gold strikings. However, their rarity is comparable to the gold strikings with only a dozen or so copper patterns known today and an additional five copper pieces that have been gilt. This is one of the finest copper strikings known. It is a lovely Gem that shows considerable mint red around the devices and in the reverse fields. Otherwise, the devices display bright blue and brown patina. The fields are deeply reflective, and the only "defects" worthy of mention are a few tiny flecks of carbon on each side (magnification is required). PCGS has certified seven submissions of Judd-1639 in all grades including four gilt examples (7/25).
Ex: Jones Beach Collection/FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2007), lot 1593.
From The Pelican Bay Collection, Part II.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 2AHU, PCGS# 62017, Greysheet# 14919)

View all of [The Pelican Bay Collection, Part II ]

View Certification Details from PCGS