The Stella was a $4 gold coin produced by the United States Mint in 1879 and 1880. It was intended as a pattern coin to explore the possibility of the U.S. joining the Latin Monetary Union (LMU), an alliance of European nations that aimed to standardize currency to facilitate international trade. The Stella was designed to align with the LMU’s gold standard, precisely to match the value of the 20-franc gold coin used by member countries.
The coin’s name, “Stella,” is derived from the Latin word for “star,” referencing the prominent five-pointed star featured on its reverse. Two obverse designs were created: the Flowing Hair design by Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber and the Coiled Hair design by Assistant Engraver George T. Morgan. The obverse also displayed the coin’s metallic composition in the metric system: “6G .3S .7C 7 GRAMS,” indicating 6 grams of gold, 0.3 grams of silver, and 0.7 grams of copper, totaling 7 grams.
Despite the production of these pattern coins, the U.S. Congress did not approve the adoption of the Stella for regular circulation, and the initiative to join the LMU was ultimately abandoned. As a result, only a limited number of Stellas were minted, making them rare and highly sought after by collectors today. The 1879 Flowing Hair variety is the most commonly encountered, with an estimated 425 pieces struck, while the other varieties had mintages ranging from 10 to 15 pieces.
The Stella $4 gold coin was a short-lived experiment aimed at aligning U.S. currency with international standards to facilitate global trade. Its limited mintage and historical significance have made it a notable and valuable piece in numismatic collections.