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Description

Memorable 1880 Flowing Hair Stella/Ex: Kern, Carter, Trompeter

1880 Flowing Hair PR 64 PCGS. Ex: Trompeter. While technically a pattern issue, there were sufficient quantities of four dollar gold pieces minted that this curious design has long been collected as a part of regular issue U.S. coinage. The overwhelming majority of Flowing Hair stellas are dated 1879, with 415 pieces reportedly struck. Mint records indicate that only 15 pieces were produced in 1880, but this number is obviously in error as some 18-25 examples are known today, making the total minted probably around 50 coins. As an individual issue, the 1880 Flowing Hair is closer in rarity to the famed Coiled Hair pieces. The 1880 is 12 to 15 times scarcer than its 1879 Flowing Hair counterpart, but it seldom sells for more than twice the price.
This dazzling piece would easily qualify as a gem, save for a few short, isolated hairlines beneath Liberty's chin. A thin spur from the base of the first 7, just to the upper left of the portrait is this coin's most attributable feature. The importance of this outstanding 1880 stella is matched by its illustrious pedigree.
Ex: Jerome Kern "Golden Jubilee" Sale (Mehl, 1950), lot 244; Amon Carter Collection (Stack's, 1/84), lot 633; and Ed Trompeter Collection (Superior, 2/92), lot 135.

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 28B3, PCGS# 8059, GSID# 8785)

Metal: 86% Gold, 4% Silver, 10% Copper
Weight: 7.00 grams
AGW: 0.19355oz
Mintage: 15


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Auction Info

Auction Dates
September, 1998
24th-25th Thursday-Friday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 4
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 763
Sold on Sep 25, 1998 for: $103,500.00
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