PCGS COIN OF THE ISSUE
1880 Flowing Hair $4 Stella, PCGS PR67CAM By Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez
One of the great numismatic rarities of the Gilded Era is the $4 Stella, a rare gold pattern that has captured the imaginations of collectors for generations for its beauty and mystique. The Stellas, named for the Latin word meaning star and smaller than its contemporary half eagle, were designed for competition against the British sovereign, Italian 20 lire, and Spanish 20 peseta to facilitate international trade. They were struck over the course of 1879 and 1880 in two designs, which include the Coiled Hair and Flowing Hair types. The 1879 Coiled and Flowing Hair types were destined for presentation to Congressmembers, while the 1880 Coiled and Flowing Hair pieces were clandestinely struck and sold to collectors. Ultimately, the $4 pattern never came to fruition to serve as America’s international gold coin. The legacy of the Stella has become ingrained in the numismatic community, with collectors paying seven and eight figures for the opportunity to own one. Indeed, these unusual $4 gold coins have found homes in some of the most prestigious cabinets. And now a rare opportunity has arisen with Rare Coin Wholesalers of Laguna Beach, California, offering a magnificent example of the 1880 Flowing Hair graded PCGS PR67CAM. A mere 35 examples were struck, and the specimen offered by Rare Coin Wholesalers is tied with just one other example for the highest graded by PCGS. “This is a legendary coin,” said Rare Coin Wholesalers President Michael Contursi. “Our family has been able to acquire only three 1880 Flowing Hair Stellas over the last 48 years, and this is by far the finest example we have had the honor to own.” Contursi’s firm, a multi-generational family business stewarding some $85 million in high-end United States coinage in its inventory, is accustomed to handling rarities of this caliber. But even Contursi will say that a rarity like the 1880 Flowing Hair Stella is something particularly special. “We take great pride in being the stewards of so many incredible American artifacts that represent our cultural heritage and sovereignty on the world stage. The hunt for and acquisition of these trophies is exhilarating, and we have been fortunate to privately place and transact over $2 billion of these 50
This exquisite 1880 Flowing Hair $4 Stella is graded PCGS PR67CAM. Courtesy of PCGS. assets globally. The 1880 $4 Stella is one of the great rarities with an incredible story that brings intense excitement when you hold it in your hand. These are the types of assets that typically remain in an estate for many generations, providing the next owner an opportunity to enhance its legacy.” Stellas don’t frequently come up for sale, and this flashy proof, with its resplendent watery fields and frosty devices, is a treasure beyond comparison. This is especially so when considering its significance in numismatic history and the captivating lore behind its origins. This piece, dated 1880, was most surely born under covert circumstances and would have many stories to tell about its surreptitious early life – if only it could share these tales with its next owner. The PCGS PR67CAM 1880 Flowing Hair Stella awaits its next curator, whose name will forever be etched into its proud provenance. Contursi compels those who are interested in acquiring this trophy for their cabinet to contact him for more information by either calling 949-679-1222 or reaching out to him by email via mcontursi@rcw1.com.
Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez has won multiple awards from the NLG and ANA for his work as a numismatic journalist and editor. He has been a coin collector since 1992 and enjoys all areas of United States coinage and U.S. minting history.
PCGS MARKET REPORT JAN/FEB 2024