1879 Flowing Hair $4, Judd-1635 -- PCGS PR65

This example displays rich reddish-gold color throughout with strong mirrors present in the fields. Stellas are avidly sought by hordes of numismatists. Even though they are patterns by any technical definition, they are eagerly collected alongside the other U.S. gold types. It must be said, too, that they offer an extra "coolness" factor as the only U.S. coin of four units -- there are no comparable four cent patterns in U.S. numismatics. DID YOU KNOW? The 1879 Flowing Hair stellas had numerous problems as a practical idea. There was no good reason for them to be favored over established federal American denominations -- the half eagle, eagle, or double eagle -- for international transactions. Their awkward proposed metric composition would have required special alloying procedures and safeguards at the Mint, a logistical nightmare. And even though they approximated the value of several European gold coin denominations of the era, they equaled none of them. PCGS Price Guide...$240,000.