1880 $4 JD-1 Flowing Hair PR66 NGC
(click for full-size image)
|
| Show/Booth: |
ANA Money Show
/
Convention Center
|
| |
(Item is available at this booth)
|
|
|
|
|
1880 $4 Flowing Hair, Judd-1657, Pollock-1857, JD-1, R.6, PR66 NGC. The 1880 Flowing Hair stella is one of the most famous rarities in American numismatics. Technically a pattern, and one that was never authorized for regular coinage, the 1880 Flowing Hair stella has survived and prospered as a collectible issue, and is regularly featured in numismatic publications such as A Guide Book of United States Coins, and the 100 Greatest U.S. Coins, alongside regular U.S. gold coin issues. PCGS CoinFacts estimates the surviving population of the issue at 20 to 25 examples in all grades, while USPatterns.com notes "about 20 are believed to exist." We have only been able to confirm 18 survivors, all told (see roster below for details). Auction appearances are few and far between, and every offering is a notable numismatic event. Heritage Auctions is privileged to present this spectacular Premium Gem example in this historic offering. Origin and Production The initial idea for the stella, an international trade coin like the present day euro, came from John Kasson, a former Congressman, Chairman of the House Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures, and Ambassador to Austria-Hungary. However, research by Roger Burdette indicates Kasson did not come up with the idea for the stella specifically, as he likely would have realized that its $4 denomination did not exactly match that of the world gold coins whose value it sought to equal. Instead, Kasson's ideas inspired entrepreneur Dr. William Wheeler Hubbell and Congressman Alexander H. Stephens to propose the stella. The $4 denomination was arrived at since it was approximately the weight of the French 20 Francs, and other coins of the Latin Monetary Union, although the French 20 Franc actually translated to $3.88, making a direct exchange for the stella impossible. Despite some initial enthusiasm, the stella was never authorized. There are four main varieties of stellas: 1879 and 1880 Flowing Hair and Coiled ...
|
Enter the message you would like to email to this Dealer
(click for full-size image)
(click for full-size image)
(click for full-size image)
(click for full-size image)
|
|