1879 $4 Gold Stella Flowing Hair NGC PF66. This lovely proof 1879 $4 Gold Stella has a cameo appearance resulting from frosted, lustrous devices on darker fields. The fields are virtually mark-free, as is the rest of the coin, in keeping with the grade. The strike is full as expected for a proof coin, with every detail easily seen. The four dollar Stellas were developed from the mistaken idea that international trade would be facilitated if the United States had a coin that was roughly the equivalent in value to certain coins of other trading nations. It was felt that the four dollar coin would be approximately equal to the Austrian 8 florins, Dutch 8 florins, French 20 francs, Italian 20 lire, and Spanish 20 pesetas. This idea was mistaken because currencies fluctuate in value. Also gold coins would be valued by their weight and fineness not their denomination for international trade. Nonetheless, John A. Kasson, the United States Ambassador to Austria-Hungary, prevailed and convinced Congress of the need for these coins.

There were two types of Stellas. The first was designed by Charles Barber. It is called the Flowing Hair Type. It shows Liberty facing left with her hair loosely tied behind wearing a band inscribed LIBERTY. The words of the inscription 6 G .3 S .7 C 7 G R A M S separated by stars surround Liberty. The reverse, which was common to both types, shows a large five pointed star inscribed with ONE STELLA followed by 400 CENTS. Surrounding the star are the words DEO EST GLORIA and E PLURIBUS UNUM. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA arc above the star and previous inscription, and words FOUR DOL. are below. The second obverse type was designed by George Morgan. It has the same inscriptions as the Barber type, but Liberty is seen with her hair stylishly coiled.

Charles E. Barber was the sixth Chief Engraver of the United States Mint. He became Chief Engraver after the death of his father, William. He served from 1879 to 1917. He is best known for his designs of the Barber dime, quarter, and half dollar. In addition he designed the Liberty Head nickel, several commemoratives, and the Flowing Hair Stella pattern. Barber was born in London in 1840. He came to the United States in 1852 with his family. His father became an engraver at the Mint in Philadelphia. Following Longacres death, William Barber became the Chief Engraver and made his son, Charles, his assistant. In 1879, Charles Barber became the Chief Engraver despite the fact the George T. Morgan may have been more qualified or at least more talented. William Barber, Charles father, had been an engraver in England. He worked for the Mint in Philadelphia and became Chief Engraver in 1869 after James Longacre died on New Years Day. In 1875 Charles married Martha Jones. They had a daughter, Edith. Martha died in 1898, and Charles remarried in 1902 to Caroline Gaston. After William Barbers death, George T. Morgan was also being considered to replace him. However, a few months later, Charles was named to the position. During the time that he was Chief Engraver, he was responsible for the 1883 Hawaiian coinage: the silver dime, eighth dollar, quarter, half dollar, and dollar. He also designed coins for Cuba and Venezuela. Later he designed the obverse of the Columbian half dollar and both dies for the Isabella quarter. Barber also was responsible for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition gold dollars, the Lewis and Clark Exposition gold dollar, the obverse of the Panama-Pacific Exposition half dollar, and the quarter eagle, along with George T. Morgan. Barber also designed the obverse of the McKinley Memorial dollar. When President Theodore Roosevelt wanted to redesign the coinage of the United States, he felt that he was in a private war with Charles Barber. Because Roosevelt that Barber was not an imaginative engraver, he enlisted the help of Augustus Saint-Gaudens and later Bela Lyon Pratt to remake Americas coinage. Barber was critical of the new designs and pointed out their impracticality. Eventually his view prevailed, and he reduced the relief of the Saint-Gaudens works.

In 1879 the first Stellas were minted. They were then restruck in 1880 with the 1879 date. All were the flowing hair type. These 1879 restrikes are more frequently found since the later dated pieces are exceedingly rare. The Morgan obverses were also struck in 1879 but are very rare with this date. More were later struck in 1880. They were clandestine issues made for members of Congress. More congressmen were able to obtain Stellas than were coin collectors. Newspapers of the time ran stories about Washington D.C. madams who had necklaces made from Stellas. Since many pieces that are seen today have evidence of solder removal, authentication is required for these coins. (Note: All USRCI coins are graded and authenticated by one of the major grading services.) After being minted as proof coins for two years, the four dollar piece was discontinued by the Mint and forgotten.

All Stellas are rare in any condition. The 1879 proof coin had an original mintage of approximately 425. In its population report NGC has a total of 211 in all grades for the flowing hair type, and PGCS has 309. The 1879 proof 66 has an NGC population of 32 with 16 better. PCGS has 40 with 3 better. These numbers do not account for resubmissions and crossovers.