This star is one of the 100 greatest U.S. coins.
“Stella”
is the Latin word for “star,” and to elite coin collectors everywhere,
the Stella is one of the most elusive and sought-after coins to have
ever orbited through the U.S. numismatic firmament. Such is its rarity
and appeal that the 1879 Flowing Hair Stella is ranked 18th among
America’s greatest 100 coins. With a tiny original mintage of just
several hundred, the Stellas have always been regarded as rarities, but
attrition and circulation have reduced the number of investment-grade
examples to a mere handful. Minted in 1879 and 1880, these coins are
exceptionally rare because they are pattern pieces: model coins never
approved for actual circulation.
The
Stella was the product of a U.S. ambassador’s plan for an American
currency that would approximate the value of common European coinage of
the time. Because the bald eagle already adorned all domestic coins, the
star was chosen as the motif for the United States’ go-to coin for
international trade. The Stella comes in two versions: the Flowing Hair
depiction of Miss Liberty, created by Mint engraver Charles E. Barber;
and the rarer Coiled Hair design, created by Barber’s assistant
engraver, George T. Morgan. Meanwhile, each coin’s reverse features a
five-point star, with its center reading “One Stella 400 Cents.” On the
coin’s outer perimeter the inscription reads “United States of America”
with “Four Dol.” at the 6 o’clock position. Just inside the outer
inscription are two other Latin inscriptions reading “E Pluribus Unum”
(“One from many”) and “Deo Est Gloria” (“To God is the glory”).
While
these pattern pieces never reached circulation, some of these beautiful
coins were spotted in jewelry pieces adorning the necks of madams
operating bordellos in our nation's capital. Buy a single Stella as a
standalone jewel, or acquire all four (1879 Flowing Hair, 1879 Coiled
Hair, 1880 Flowing Hair, and 1880 Coiled Hair) to own one of the Holy
Grail sets of American numismatics.
Whether buying or selling rare coins, ensure you receive the finest in rare coin quality and service.
Blanchard
and Company, Inc. is the preeminent rare coin authority, specializing
in the finest-known rare coins for the discriminating collector. We have
placed more than 50 of the 100 Greatest U.S. Coins – and we’re further
distinguished in that every one of our rare coins is handpicked by renowned numismatist John Albanese.
Our
highly experienced and knowledgeable rare coin professionals – many
with 20+ years in the business – have helped more than 400,000 clients
with expert consultation on purchasing rare American gold coins.
View our inventory online now. Or call your Blanchard and Company Account Executive today to value your current portfolio and discuss your options: 1.866.629.1915. |
