Gold, Diplomacy, and Rarity: The Stellar Legacy of Stella Coin

Today we are going to talk about those rare and outstanding coins of US history, which became a symbol of diplomacy, currency reforms and even a numismatic legend. Of course, we are talking about the Stella gold coin.

This four dollar gold coin stands out for its rarity and its importance to the financial system and history of the United States. The issuance of these coins was intended to facilitate international trade, and it was expected that the coins would become a highly important monetary unit and be treated similarly to the French napoleon, the Italian lira or British sovereign. Today, there is not a single piece of the world where this coin is not cherished by collectors and numismatists, however, allow us to take a closer look at its role in history.

What is a Stella coin?

The Stella coin, issued in the late 19th century, is a highly rare $4 gold coin.

Its name comes from the Latin “stella”, which means “star”. The name was not accidentally chosen, as it symbolizes not only the reverse design, but also highlights its exclusivity and rarity among other gold coins of the time and even ancient Roman gold coins.

As we mentioned above, the purpose of creating a coin of this level was the desire and need of the United States to create a universal currency to facilitate international trade and strengthen trade relations with Europe. The idea for this ambitious project belonged to John Adams (representing the U.S. Treasury), who sought to equalize the weight and face value of U.S. and European coins.

Despite the far-reaching plans and the ambitiousness of the goal, the project was not adopted, and the coins were not put into mass production. In practice, it turned out that the denomination of 4 dollar gold coin did not exactly meet the existing international standards: the difference in weight and gold content created inconveniences in exchange and settlements, and merchants were not interested in the coin. Moreover, the project was not seen in a rosy light by the Congress, so the project did not receive proper attention and funding, so only a small number of issued specimens (which were not very popular then but are producing a boom now) saw the light of day.

Key Data

Let's traditionally talk about the main characteristics of the coin, placed in a table for greater convenience and clarity.

Design and Features of the Stella Coin

The Stella was minted at the United States Mint in Philadelphia. The best known version is from 1879, when several hundred pieces were issued. In 1880 a few more were issued, but this mintage was not intended for general circulation. It is due to such a small number and surviving specimens that this coin is so highly valued.

Obverse Design

An interesting fact is that there were 2 types of this $4 gold coin. The first type of coin is called Flowing Hair which was designed by Charles Barber. The design of this coin version is considered more classic and easily recognizable. The obverse of these Stella coins shows the profile of Lady Liberty with her hair fluttering, she looks calm but majestic. Both she and her image (with the tiara on her head with the distinct inscription LIBERTY) emphasize the main thing - the freedom and independence of the States. Around Liberty's head are 13 five-pointed stars symbolizing the 13 original colonies that became the foundation of the United States. Below her profile is the year of issue of the coin.

The second type of coin, the Coiled Hair Liberty was created by George Morgan. This version is known for its more detailed and more artistic depiction of Liberty.  Here, Liberty looks more elegant and formal due to her hairstyle (hair pulled up and styled). Liberty's facial features are more detailed, she seems to look more important and stern. On her head she also wears a detailed tiara with the inscription “LIBERTY” (the tiara is decorated and detailed). There are also 13 stars around Liberty, as well as the date of the coin is also at the bottom.

Reverse and Symbolism

The reverse of both coins is virtually identical (but the second type is said to have slightly more detail) and features a star, symbolizing both the coin's name and its ambitious status as an international currency.  The reverse depicts a star with the inscriptions “ONE STELLA” and “400 CENTS” reflected inside. The star is surrounded by the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”, “E PLURIBUS UNUM” and the Latin phrase “DEO EST GLORIA”.

This reverse has become one of the most recognizable among U.S. collector coins, and its simplicity and elegance emphasize the importance of gold as a symbol of stability and value. Around the star are also inscriptions indicating the percentages of the metals from which the coin is made (i.e., “6 G. .3 S. .7 C.” means that the coin consists of 6 grams of gold, 0.3 grams of silver, and 0.7 grams of copper). This indicates the composition of the coin and emphasizes its equality with international currencies.

You can visualize how the 2 types of coins differed in the table below:

Stella Coins Value

Based on all the information above, it is easy to guess that these coins can be worth several hundred thousand dollars at auction (as you already know, the price of course depends on the condition and type of specimen). 

It is believed that approximately 400 Flowing Hair coins and only 15-20 Coiled Hair coins are in the possession of private collectors (sometimes they are traded at prestigious auctions). Given the small mintage and historical significance, Stella coins are not only a fine example of coinage, but also quite a valuable and prestigious investment.

The Stella coin was never intended to circulate widely, making every existing specimen a rarity.

In 2013, the coin sold for a record $2,574,000 at a Bonhams auction in 2013.

If you are interested in learning more about the current market value of a particular Stella specimen, its authenticity, or more information about any other coin, or you want to identify the coins, you can use the Coin ID Scanner app. Due to this app you will be able to easily identify rare coins and track their market values.

A Star Among the Coins

Today we slightly opened the veil of mystery concerning a small piece of metal that has a close relation to diplomacy, history and numismatics. This coin is a true symbol of the unrealized ambitions of international currency reform and a proof of the craftsmanship of its creators.

It's no false modesty to say this coin, just like other gold coins, e.g., with angel pictures, is one of the most important and valuable coins in the world due to its significance and rarity (despite its modest size and mintage). Highly valued by collectors and historians alike, it remains a symbol of the gold standard, both literally and figuratively.

Sources:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stella_(United_States_coin)

2. https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/category/4-stella-1879-1880/57