1880 $4 Coiled Hair, Judd-1660, Pollock-1860, JD-1, Low R.7, PR62 NGC. The 1880 Coiled Hair stellas (Judd-1660) are a...
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Consign your material to be auctioned alongside these items on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 in Dallas, TX. Consignment Deadline for this auction is Monday, March 16, 2026.
Description
1880 Coiled Hair Stella, PR62
Judd-1660, Pollock-1860, JD-1
Rarest Stella Design
Ex: Kern-Carter
1880 $4 Coiled Hair, Judd-1660, Pollock-1860, JD-1, Low R.7,
PR62 NGC. The 1880 Coiled Hair stellas (Judd-1660) are among
the great rarities of American gold coinage. Only a handful of
specimens survive. PCGS CoinFacts estimates the surviving
population of the 1880 Coiled Hair at 8-10 examples in all grades.
A roster of the nine examples known to us is listed below,
including one specimen that resides in the National Numismatic
Collection at the Smithsonian Institution. Heritage Auctions is
privileged to present a spectacular PR62 specimen of this classic
gold pattern rarity in this important offering.The Four Stellas
Four distinct stella varieties are known to collectors: the 1879 Flowing Hair and Coiled Hair coins and the 1880 issues of the same types. Unfortunately, while documentation regarding the purpose and production of 1879 Flowing Hair stellas is relatively comprehensive, little is known about their Coiled Hair counterparts, or even the Flowing Hair coins dated 1880. Mint records show that 425 1879 Flowing Hair stellas were struck between December 1879 and May 1880, as patterns for a proposed international coinage. There is no documentation that we know of that sheds any light on how many Coiled Hair stellas or 1880 Flowing Hair stellas were minted, who authorized their production, or why there were struck. The best estimates range from 15 to 25 examples of each type produced, with far fewer survivors known.
The 1880 Coiled Hair issue is clearly the rarest of the four varieties. It was originally issued in three-coin sets along with a goloid dollar and metric dollar, both of which were designed by George T. Morgan. For many years it was believed that just 10 pieces were struck, but it is more likely that the original mintage was slightly larger. Like the 1879 Coiled Hair and 1880 Flowing Hair coins, the 1880 Coiled Hair is definitely a major rarity from an extremely small mintage. Only the 1879 Flowing Hair stella could be called anything close to common, and that is the issue most often chosen by type collectors who want a single example of the stella. Of course, advanced specialists will want all four varieties, and are advised to take advantage of this offering.
Design
Traditionally, the Coiled Hair design has been attributed to George Morgan, but Roger Burdette puts forth a strong argument that Charles Barber was likely responsible for the Coiled Hair design, although he based it on an early pattern by Morgan (Judd-1631). Obverse: Head of Liberty faces left, her hair coiled in a bun atop her head, this coil held in place by a band inscribed LIBERTY. Around, the inscription★ 6★ G★ .3★ S★ .7★ C★ 7★ G★ R★ A★ M★ S★ and below, the date 1880 is from a curved logotype. Evidence of repunching is visible in the upper loop of the second 8 in the date. Reverse: A single large star serves as the central motif, inscribed with incuse lettering ONE STELLA 400 CENTS. Around, in small letters, are the mottoes E PLURIBUS UNUM and DEO EST GLORIA. In large letters, around the border, the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above, and the denomination FOUR DOL. below. Struck in gold with a reeded edge. The D in UNITED is clearly doubled above, as it is on all four dollar gold pieces that we have seen from 1879 and 1880.
Mintages and Survival Rates
Details regarding the production of 1879 Coiled Hair stellas and both 1880 variants are scant. In fact, there are no Mint records documenting any aspect of their creation. Based on survival rates, it is fair to assume that 15 to 25 of each type were struck. Burdette speculates that the 1879 Coiled Hair stellas were struck in late October or early November 1879. Chief Coiner A. Louden Snowden likely kept the coins in reserve, in case the flowing hair design proved unpopular. They might also have been reserved for special purposes, such as exchange for coins needed for the Mint Collection or political rewards. As for the 1880-dated stellas, Burdette proposes that Snowden ordered new dies for both designs in 1880 after Burchard refused to sell unsold 1879 Flowing Hair sets to collectors, insisting they were strictly reserved for members of congress. One thing is certain beyond any reasonable doubt: The 1880 Coiled Hair stella is the rarest of the four issues in the series. Perhaps 10 examples survive, nine of which have been individually identified (see roster below).
Physical Appearance
This coin was once a highlight of many prominent collections, including those of Jerome Kern and Amon G. Carter. This attractive PR62 example has a faint greenish tint to the pleasing yellow-gold surfaces The fields are fully mirrored, with noticeable, but not designated, field-device contrast on both sides. The design elements are well detailed, with a touch of softness on Liberty's curls, due to some planchet striations that were not completely struck out. Both sides have diagonal striations up to the left on the obverse and up to the right on the reverse, in the same direction on both sides when the coin orientation is considered. Those striae result from the original planchet manufacturing process. Standard half eagle planchet strip was reduced to 80% thickness in the Mint's rolling mills and drawing bench, then planchets were cut using the standard half eagle planchet cutter. It was the process of rolling and drawing the planchet stock that left parallel striations on the planchet strip. We have never seen a gold stella without the striae, although on some it is extremely faint. This coin possesses a winning combination of absolute rarity, outstanding eye appeal, and intense historic interest. It will be a welcome addition to the finest collection or type set. The 1880 Coiled Hair stella is listed among the 100 Greatest U.S. Coins. NGC Census: 1 in 62, 3 finer (2/26).
Roster of 1880 Coiled Hair Stellas
This roster was compiled from earlier work by John Dannreuther, Ron Guth, and Saul Teichman.
1. Eliasberg Specimen. PR67 Cameo NGC. H.P. Smith Collection (S.H. & H. Chapman, 5/1906), lot 1456, part of a three-piece Goloid set, with the coins offered in individual lots; J.M. Clapp; Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr.; Louis E. Eliasberg, Jr.; United States Gold Coin Collection (Bowers and Ruddy, 10/1982), lot 319, realized $99,000; Holecek Family Trust (Stack's, 10/2000), lot 1625; Paramount Collection; U.S. Coins Signature (Heritage, 2/2021), lot 3754, realized $1,860,000; FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2026), lot 3212, $2,074,000.
2. Delp Specimen. PR67 Cameo NGC. Winner Delp Collection (Stack's, 11/1972), lot 792, realized $35,000; Summer FPL (Stack's, 1997) offered as part of a four-piece set for $875,000; FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2005), lot 30044, realized $977,500; Tacasyl Collection (Bonhams, 9/2013), lot 1011, realized $2,574,000.
3. DuPont Specimen. PR67 NGC. CAC. S. Hallock du Pont Collection (Sotheby's, 9/1982), lot 252, part of a four-piece set of stellas with the coins offered in individual lots, realized $102,300; Chicago Sale (Superior, 8/1991), lot 707, realized $440,000, Central States Signature (Heritage, 4/2015), lot 5301, realized $1,821,250; ANA U.S. Coins Signature (Heritage, 8/2025), realized $2,280,000.
4. Trompeter Specimen. PR65 Cameo PCGS. CAC. Will Neil Collection (B. Max Mehl, 6/1947), lot 2605, sold as part of a set for $3,850; Grant Pierce; 1976 ANA (Stack's, 8/1976), lot 2920, sold as part of a set for $225,000; Western Collection (Stack's, 12/1981), lot 1139, realized $135,000; Ed Trompeter Collection (Superior, 2/1992), lot 136, realized $264,000; Orlando Sale (Superior, 8/1992), lot 599; 60th Anniversary Sale (Stack's, 10/1995), lot 1548, realized $308,000; Long Beach Signature (Heritage, 6/2015), lot 4230, realized $1,116,250.
5. Simpson Specimen. PR65 Cameo PCGS. Memorable Collection (Numismatic Gallery, 3/1948), lot 282; Public Auction Sale (Stack's, 3/1999), lot 136; Rarities Sale (Bowers and Merena, 1/2000), lot 352; Bob R. Simpson Collection.
6. Kern Specimen. PR62 NGC. Golden Jubilee Sale (B. Max Mehl, 5/1950), lot 245, sold as part of a set for $4,100; Amon Carter, Sr.; Amon Carter, Jr.; Carter Family Collection (Stack's, 1/1984), lot 634, realized $72,250; Richmond Collection (David Lawrence, 7/2004), lot 1306; Santa Clara Sale (Superior, 7/2005), lot 425, realized $618,125; FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2009), lot 4035, realized $575,000; Los Angeles Signature (Heritage, 7/2009), lot 1246, realized $546,250. The present coin.
7. Davies Specimen. PR61 NGC. Davies-Niewoehner Collections (Paramount, 2/1975), lot 547, realized $67,500; Bowers and Ruddy Rare Coin Review #26, p. 64; FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2000), lot 7519; Robert Swan & Rod Sweet Collections (Bowers and Merena, 3/2004), lot 2620.
8. Dallas Bank Specimen. PR61 NGC. Dr. John Wilkison; Tennessee Coin Exchange; Julian Leidman and Mike Brownlee; Paramount International Coin; H. Jeff Browning; Dallas Bank Collection (Sotheby's and Stack's, 10/2000), lot 363; Rarities Auction (Stack's Bowers, 10/2015), lot 110, realized $258,500; The Poulos Family Collection/ANA Signature (Heritage, 8/2019), lot 3862, where it brought $204,000; FUN Signature (Heritage, 1/2022), lot 4692, realized $504,000.
9. Lilly Specimen. PR64. Josiah K. Lilly; National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution, grade per Garrett and Guth.
Additional Appearances
A. Proof. Dewitt Smith; sold to Virgil Brand in 1908, Brand Journal number 46965.
B. Proof. Edgar Adams; sold to Virgil Brand in 1911, Brand Journal number 57094.
C. Proof. F.C.C Boyd; sold to Virgil Brand in 1921, Brand Journal number 105730.
D. Proof. Albert A. Grinnell Collection (B. Max Mehl, 6/1943), lot 187; Fred E. Olsen Collection (B. Max Mehl, 11/1944), lot 621, part of a four-piece set of stellas with the coins offered in individual lots.
E. Proof. King Farouk; Palace Collections of Egypt (Sotheby's, 2/1954), lot 323, purchased by Baldwin.
F. Proof. Public Auction Sale (Kreisberg-Schulman, 2/1961), lot 1150, part of a four-piece set of stellas.
G. Proof. Major Lenox Lohr; Abner Kreisberg; James Ruddy; Lohr Fixed Price List (Empire Coin Company, 1961).
H. Proof. Possibly Dr. J. Hewitt Judd; Illustrated History of United States Coins (Abe Kosoff, 1962), lot 566.
I. Proof. Golden Sale of the Century, Part II (Kreisberg-Schulman, 1/1963), lot 1940, part of a four-piece set of stellas, with the coins offered individually
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# 28B4, PCGS# 8060, Greysheet# 8786)
Weight: 7.00 grams
Metal: 86% Gold, 4% Silver, 10% Copper
Auction Info
2026 April 29 - May 3 CSNS US Coins Signature® Auction #1393 (go to Auction Home page)
Bidding Begins Approx.
April
10th
Friday
Auction Dates
Apr-May
29th-3rd
Wednesday-Sunday
Proxy Bidding Begins Approx.
35 Days
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Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
Signature®: Heritage Live®:After Internet bidding closes, live bidding will take place through www.HA.com/Live. Your secret maximum bid placed prior to the live event will compete against the live bids. To maximize your chances of winning, enter realistic secret maximum bids on our site. Many of our proxy bidders are successful at winning lots in these auctions, and usually below their secret maximum. You can also place last minute bids directly with us by e-mailing Bid@HA.com or calling 1-866-835-3243. (Important note: Due to software and Internet latency, live bids may not register in time, so enter realistic proxy bids.)
Signature® Floor Sessions
Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
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