But due to their rarity, they can be quite costly and usually collected as type coins. Stellas have always proven popular among collectors. But it’s believed just 15 originals and 425 “restrikes” were produced.ĭespite this, the denomination is considered an official series of U.S. Only pattern Proofs were produced, in two designs: Flowing Hair and Coiled Hair. However, those dreams were shattered when Congress killed the denomination before it was ever actually authorized.Īs a result, $4 gold Stellas were minted for just two years, and none of the coins were issued for circulation. It was created with a lofty purpose – to compete globally with French, Spanish and other coinage.
Introduced in 1879, the $4 gold piece was named the “Stella” after the Latin word for star – a fitting name, given the large five-pointed star on the coin’s reverse. 1879 Flowing Hair Gold $4 Stella Pattern (National Numismatic Collection, National Museum of American History)
