1880 Pattern Coiled Hair $4 Gold Stella. Aluminum, gilt. J-1662, rarity 8, Pollack-1862, reeded edge. Proof 60. This extremely rare coin is almost certainly from the Palace Collection sale (1954) of King Farouk by Sotheby's as that extensive sale offered two of this pattern issue (lot 1995 and 2025). The recent Pollack reference work notes only 3 coins known of this in aluminum, 1) the Superior Rio Rancho 1974 sale, later New England July 1979; 2) Stack's Garrett Sale 1976 to Harry Bass and retained in his foundation; and 3) Kagin's May 1978 sale, lot 1061 which is thought to have been either 3A) Farouk, Sotheby's 1954 "Palace Collection" lot 1995 or 3B) Farouk, Sotheby's 1954 "Palace Collection" lot 2025. None of the above specimens is noted as being "gilt", which this coin obviously is. There is a small speck of toning behind Liberty's hair bun below the A and star. Moderate hairlines are visible with a glass, and the proof surfaces are a bit dull from an old cleaning, which makes the case for this being a King Farouk coin, as all his coins were cleaned. Furthermore, it is the only possibility of those listed in the known specimens, so unless this were an entirely new discovery coin (which is very unlikely) it almost certainly is one from the Farouk sale. Most likely the first specimen listed is 3B in Pollack, while this coin is 3A.
The surfaces are toned a delicate gold color, and the devices are sharply struck. It is a curious design that the diadem lettering LIBERTY is engraved in descending letter sizes, which must have been very difficult for Barber to engrave in the die, as a standard set of letter punches could not be used. Any coiled hair stella is an important offering, this extremely rare pattern issue will no doubt bring a strong price.
