1879 Flowing Hair $4 NGC PR66. Technically a pattern, $4.00 Gold pieces, or Stella's have traditionally been listed in the red book and have been collected as a regular series ever since. Struck in two different types, this is the flowing hair obverse design, a rendition by Charles E. Barber.

Struck in various metals, the gold examples have been the most popular. The 1879 issues were actually produced and distributed to members of the Congress, to show what an issue of this unusual denomination would look like. The idea however, was soon abandoned, and the 1880 issues with the same design were secretly produced in very limited quantities by Mint workers for sale to collectors.

The four dollar denomination was meant to circulate widely across the world, as various other issues from European countries did. However, the American $20 gold piece was very popular in international trade, and the new denomination would not fit with the other coins used widely in the trade. The idea was never widely promoted, and along with various other projects for international trade the coinage of one international trade coin was never materialized.

The present piece is one of the finest known examples of this issue, remaining from an estimated mintage of 450 pieces. Very pleasing, and highly reflective surfaces, with the darker gold color seen on both sides a true highlight. A rare opportunity to acquire one of the prime coins of American coinage, popular and highly prized since they were minted.