1879 $4 Flowing Hair, DCAM PR(PCGS#98057)

The Regency Auction 50

拍卖行

Legend Rare Coin Auctions

批号

241

等级

PR64DCAM

价格

1,384,129

详细说明

One of the great RARITIES of American numismatics, the $4 "Stella" is a popular pattern that was stuck in large enough quantity that generations of collectors have included an example in their gold type sets. The present PR64 DCAM is a true GEM! The dramatic visual impact of the present example is truly stunning. We have seen examples in higher grade holders that cannot hold a candle to the quality of this gorgeous PR64 DCAM. Deeply beaming mirrors in the fields appear as sheets of sleek, black ice that contrast boldly against the thick, creamy frosted texture of the sharply struck reliefs. Typical for the type the fields show die polish lines and planchet rolling striations, but they are minor compared with other examples we have seen. We also believe this coin has not been conserved, unlike so many that have a bright unnatural yellow-gold color. The visual allure of this GEM is off the charts. In 1879, John Kasson, the ambassador to Austria suggested a $4 gold coin to be struck in a Metric gold composition. Kasson had connections, and the resulting proposed $4 gold piece was the closest an international coinage got to mass production. Two distinct obverses were created, one with a Liberty head with her hair flowing down, designed by Charles Barber, and the other with Liberty's hair coiled up on of her head by George Morgan. The 1879 is the most "common" with 425 reported struck. Legend has it that many of these were distributed to congressmen to show what the coin would look like and some of them ended up being spent in Washington brothels. The $4 Stella has long been included among gold type collections, however, they are technically patterns. By 1879, for at least a decade, various proposals for international coinage had been tested. In 1868, there was a pattern $5 / 25 francs struck; in 1874 Dana Bickford proposed a $10 gold piece that had the conversions into various European currencies. None of these made it any further than a few coins struck. Only 425 Proofs were struck. PCGS 12, NGC 4, CAC 8. The most recent example to sell in auction realized $204,000 in the 2021 ANA auction. The PCGS Price Guide value is listed at $230,000 and the CAC CPG value is $244,800. This is a real PRIZE for the gold type collector ranked as #18 on the list of 100 GREATEST U.S. COINS by Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth! If you are building a "Top 100 set", a world class type set, or just want a very SPECIAL and sexy gold coin rarity, do not let this GEM Stella pass you by! Good luck! Cert. Number 44039252 PCGS # 98057