1879 $4 Flowing Hair, Judd-1635, Pollock-1833, R.3, PR67 ★ Cameo NGC....

"It was announced by someone, perhaps a Mint official, that 15 of the 1879 Flowing Hair $4 Stellas were struck, these as patterns, but there was a sufficient demand for them that a few hundred more were struck for congressmen, who are allowed to acquire them for $6.50 each. This was an era of great secrecy at the Mint, and virtually the entire pattern coinage of 1879, including the 'Washlady' and Schoolgirl silver coins, were produced for the private profit of Mint officials. ... The total number made is not known, but has been estimated to be 600 to 700, all but 15 of which are believed to have been struck in calendar year 1880 from the 1879-dated dies."

"Only a few original proof sets (Stella, goloid, and 'goloid metric' dollars) were made in Dec. 1879 from the Barber [Flowing Hair] designs; those with the Morgan [Coiled Hair] obvs. were clandestine issues. At least 425 additional sets followed in 1880 from the 1879 Barber dies, by order of Congress ...

"As the same dies were used for original Stellas and official restrikes, distinguishing between them has been a difficult problem. Coiled hair or Morgan Stellas of 1879 are not known to have been restruck; they normally lack the central striations (on the strip from which these planchets were cut) found on most 1879 Flowing Hair Stellas and all the 1880 issues. Presumably the very rare 1879 Flowing Hair coins without central striations are the originals. None has been auctioned in many years, though many restrikes have been marketed as originals owing to their having correct weights. ..."

"As time goes by and no pieces appear to lack the striations, many numismatists have concluded that neither were the pattern gold pieces produced in that odd metric alloy, but rather they were struck on regular 900 fine planchets rolled out to 80% of the thickness of a half eagle, accounting for the roller marks or die striations seen on all known gold pieces."