1879 $4 J-1639, BN PR(PCGS#62017)

June 2026 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

2227

Grade

PR64BN

Price

79,300

Lot Description

The Coiled Hair Stella is one of the most coveted and classic issues in American numismatics. Minted during only two years, in 1879 and 1880, there are just a handful known of each date and any appearance is an opportunity for the specialist. The obverse design is by George T. Morgan with a bust of Liberty facing left, her hair coiled in a complex braid wrapped in a coil at the top of her head. She wears a tiara inscribed LIBERTY in tiny letters. Around the obverse the legend reads * 6 * G * .3 * S * .7 * C * 7 * G * R * A * M* S* an abbreviation for 6 grams gold, .3 grams silver and .7 grams copper for a total of 7 grams. The date 1879 is below the bust. The reverse is the same seen paired with the Flowing Hair obverse, engraved and designed by Charles E. Barber. The central feature is a raised five pointed star, with a beaded inset border. Inscribed on the star is ONE / STELLA / 400 / CENTS. Around the star, in small letters, DEO EST GLORIA / E PLURIBUS UNUM. The outer legend reads UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, with FOUR DOL. below.<p>Unlike its identically dated Flowing Hair counterpart, the 1879 Coiled Hair stella is very rare and seldom encountered in today's market. This type was prepared in only limited numbers, whereas several hundred examples of the 1879 Flowing Hair were struck in early 1880 for distribution to members of Congress and other government officials. Only 14 examples of the gold 1879 Coiled Hair stella (Judd-1638) are believed extant. The copper strikings (Judd-1639, as here) are equally as rare with Saul Teichman's census linked to the <em>uspatterns.com</em> website tracing only 11 or 12 distinct specimens. Of these, at least eight have been glit to simulate their gold counterparts; two are impounded in the collections of the Smithsonian Institution and Connecticut State Library.<p>The present specimen is not included in the Teichman census, the only two non-gilt examples therein the Simpson coin in PCGS Proof-66 BN and a PCGS Proof-65 BN that most recently appeared in Heritage's August 2025 Signature Auction. This Choice Proof specimen is richly toned with copper-blue outlining to the obverse periphery and devices that yields to lighter golden-brown within the field and atop the motifs. The reverse is more evenly toned in copper-russet with underlying rose, olive-gold and steel-blue iridescence. A few faint carbon spots on Liberty's cheek and in the field before the eye help to explain the Proof-64 numeric grade, but blend into the toning and are easily overlooked in most viewing situations. With a sharp strike and overall pleasant appearance, this coin would make an outstanding addition to an advanced type set of classic U.S. Mint gold denominations.