The finest set of "Stella" $4 denomination gold coins in the PCGS Set Registry® will be displayed for the first time anywhere by Tangible Investments of Laguna Beach, California (www.TangibleInvestmentsInc.com) at the American Numismatic Association 2024 Chicago World’s Fair of Money (www.WorldsFairofMoney.com).
The registry lists the historic, low-mintage pattern coins as the current finest set with a weighted grade point average of 66.75, and each of the four coins has cameo quality.
"Of all the world-class rare coins I’ve been fortunate to handle over the past 40 years, this set tops everything," stated Tangible Investments Founder and President Silvano DiGenova.
"The $4 denomination coins got their nickname, Stella, from the five-pointed star in the design on the reverse. They were only struck as proofs in small quantities for two years, 1879 and 1880, with two different obverse designs: Coiled Hair and Flowing Hair on Miss Liberty’s head," explained DiGenova.
The grades are 1879 Coiled Hair PCGS PR65+ CAM CAC with a mintage of only 20; 1879 Flowing Hair PCGS PR67 CAM CAC, mintage 425; 1880 Coiled Hair PCGS PR65+ CAM CAC, mintage 10; and 1880 Flowing Hair PCGS PR66 CAM CAC, mintage 35.
Two of the United States Mint’s most famous engravers designed the coins. The Flowing Hair obverse was created by Charles E. Barber, and the Coiled Hair obverse was designed by George T. Morgan.
The PCGS Set Registry describes $4 gold Stellas as "…one of the most famous and popular sets in all of American numismatics. The odd denomination four-dollar coin has been desired by collectors since their issuance in 1879 and 1880 – they are classic American rarities…one of the most impressive numismatic items one could hope to own and always brings accolades when displayed."
"This is the current finest PCGS Registry set. Furthermore, as a CAC set, it is the finest all-time set. Currently, it is the finest PCGS and CAC Set! The 2024 ANA convention may be the only opportunity for collectors, dealers, and the general public to see these superb-quality, rare coins together," said DiGenova.
"It would take someone over ten years to build a set of similar quality. Three of four coins have such small mintages that it is nearly impossible to obtain all three of them. It is highly unusual to see all four Stellas together in that quality," stated John Albanese, chief executive officer and founder of CAC.
The display will be at the Tangible Investments booth, #401, at the ANA 2024 Chicago World’s Fair of Money in Hall A of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont.
For additional information about Tangible Investments or the $4 gold Stella set, contact Tangible Investments Senior Vice President Mike Bonham at 949-878-0393 or email mbonham@tii1.com.
One of the best reminders and examples of what the coin term “rarity” really means.
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One PCGS Grader to another, “I told him the slabbing job wouldn’t be done for at least another week but for the life of me that guy just won’t stop howling about his precious coin!”
Money Metals selling 5oz ATB Silver pucks for $335 ea.
US Mint who???
Dang! I just bought a 1,000 at $380 before the price went up. Not!
Tony@GA,
Except that this happens to be a comparison of apples to oranges, since the Money Metals version of these “hockey puck” 5 oz. silver coins is the much less expensive Bullion Grade while the version sold by the U.S. Mint is the far pricier Numismatic Grade.
Ah yes, another mint mark/no mint mark subterfuge. Surprisingly though the highest ASE MS70s are the bullion. If only they were all stamped BULLION! Sorry, Rick– just ribbing ya.
Noooooooooo!??!!
Honestly, the values are on your side- so, joke’s on me!
As long as they don’t stamp FELON on my Money Metals Trump Silver Rounds, I should be ok…
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
But then again……
Love any ATB puck inflation, can’t wait for a $500 puck….
:>{|. The burnished sell a little bit better but someday they will buy you a cheeseburger
John Q. Coinage, Rick and Major D,
After extensive painstaking research I have at last discovered the elusive rumored authentic definitive “silver bullion”, to wit:
Kaiser Wilhelm, I actually have two sets of 5, I purchased them for my wife as her and her friends play Yahtzee a lot! I purchased them well over 10 years ago! She loved them!
Well, as always, Good Luck ALL!!!
There you go, AKBob, not only superbly impressing as the ever so thoughtful husband but simultaneously finding yourself at the very cutting edge of practical bullion cube utilization.
A tale of two coins–A visual tour. E1 while we’re on the subject and anyone comment as you please btw… The ASE 2011-S PCGS MS70 x 2 coins = Coin(93), and coin(94)–those numbers represent the last 2 numbers on their respective cert #’s. They were not only graded consecutively. They were Minted consecutively?? I’m going to bring up both coins in hi-rez like before. They will open up on their own separate tab/image and you can click to zoom and compare the two coins going ‘back and forth’. Bring up both images to compare, and in order–#93, then #94–it is… Read more »
A couple of thoughts before coin #94 comes up. Click between the two back and forth once they are both up. Zoom with a click as you wish. The small, little black spots are not carbon, debris, whatever. The spots appear black in photos, but in hand they are shiny, silvery, reflective dings & contact marks. Lighting affects reflectivity as well Obverse similarities on both coins; 1) The 2 black dots next to the leafs/branches in her left hand. 2) The black dot on the rim down near 2011. Reverse similarities on both coins; click to zoom if you like…… Read more »
Rick,
While I believe the two ASEs aren’t one and the same, they’re about as close as two exemplars of the same coin can get without being absolutely identical.
Rick, I have microscopic inspection experience from the tech industry. I did a side by side comparison of the two images. I am of the opinion that the two coins are different. Compare the face of the rims coin to coin. They have different mechanical markings or scratches. However, the black spot pattern is the same from coin to coin and this may be due to contamination that may have accumulated on the die. These two coins may have been struck consecutively or in near sequence to each other. JMHO here. I try to stay away from those. All of… Read more »
Yes I agree with all of that. Yes, they are absolutely two different coins and struck consecutively, or darn near. When I first got the images from PCGS, I thought that they messed up, or purposely got lazy and repeated my coin image. Until further review as you did. Another unique trait that I did not mention before, and along the lines of the rims, is the toning on the rim of coin #93 near 8:00. Coin #94 has zero toning at 8:00 on the rim. Also, that small faint spot next to the date on coin 93, I think… Read more »
WE should have gotten a $TELLA for the tribute Anniversary coins, but get retreads…. Love those Stella’s always aloof She is
To paraphrase the Rolling Stones, John Q. Coinage, “You can’t always get what you want but if the Mint’s involved you can always get what they think you should have.”
Well Kaiser, as John Q said: “ WE should have gotten a $TELLA for the tribute Anniversary coins, but get retreads” However no such luck!
I remember when we took a straw poll here as to which good old Mint coins we as collectors would like to see replicated for the Anniversary there ended up being a fairly long and diverse list of preferences. My point, CaliSkier, is that someone or other will inevitably find themselves being disappointed no matter which coins are chosen to be featured for any particular event. It’s the old each to his own phenomenon at play.
I agree….BUT really another Walking Liberty, 20 $t…… etc. been there done that no brains or per SpongeBob Imagination @ US morons
I understand what you’re saying, John Q. Coinage; good points. Separately, aside from the idea of which coins are chosen there is also the other issue of the affordability of the “replications”. This implies that by virtue of too high pricing some of us will be ruled out of this game regardless. Luckily, none of this is the end of the world because there are always so many other varieties of coins to collect anyway.
JQC,
In the mid 1990’s, my local dealer friend showed me 4 proof gold Stellas in PCGS PR-65. He wanted $50K each. At the time I thought that was nuts. Today, I reflect, and think, maybe I was nuts not to buy them. That was the last time I ever saw a Stella again.
E 1,
Does it make you feel any better to know that you would have at that time been paying the equivalent of over $100,000 in 2024 dollars for each one of those?
ALERT! Instead, WAIT for it…. Here comes the US Mints Circus Silver Medals and Clown coins!ALERT Here comes the “Bat Signal”! DC Comic coins by the US mint! “WASHINGTON – The United States Mint (Mint) is pleased to announce a historic collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products to launch a new collectible coin and medal series celebrating comic book art as a uniquely American artform, featuring DC comic book characters and art. This unprecedented initiative marks the first time the Mint has entered a public–private partnership of this magnitude.” “The new series will feature nine iconic superheroes depicted… Read more »
Regardless of the inherent inanity of the subjects of these proposed coins in the first place and in general, these intended releases also carry with them as always the ongoing congressionally mandated nonsense pertaining to the U.S. Mint being permitted to produce any gold coins it desires to but simultaneously being barred from doing the same with silver as in the latter case the unyielding legal requirement is for those products to be released as silver medals only. What a crock.
Marvel hot DC now second tier to,the Kids
In my above post I forgot that there were also RCM Superman coins issued in 2015 as well. GateWest link for any that may be curious what the Royal Canadian Mint came up with and issued in the years I mention.(2013-2016) This allows you to easily locate and see the different coins. You also then have an accurate description of the product and can copy and paste the coins titled name/description into a search at the RCM to relatively easily find the RCM coin listing that will be “archived” on the RCM website.
http://store.gatewestcoin.com/store/cgi/viewMainCategories.cgi?type=store&location=usa&session-id=17U20F59y75H21g&t=207148&site=1
I suppose the push to super heroes is the path forward since coin collecting is becoming extinct due to the move to a more cashless society. We all started collecting coins from the change we received following a purchase at the drugstore. Now, new collectors are not made anymore so the mint needs to try a new schtick to ramp up sales on over priced trinkets and baubles. Not happy with the direction but it is the future… at least for awhile. Probably the way forward is stick with straight bullion and use it to offset the dollar devaluation. The… Read more »
In case you didn’t see this, I’ll post again: The website for the Royal Danish Mint closed at the end of 2023. This was due to falling interest in the products and raising costs of productions and the fact that Denmark and the Danes are moving away from cash. But I believe it is still producing circulating coins. Granted, it wasn’t a large mint- but this likely is where all of the world mints are eventually headed. I suspect the superhero theme is to try and interest kids in the hobby. Not that kids will be buying them, rather it’s… Read more »
Having had some fair amount of experience observing the interests and wishes of three children and five grandchildren myself I would be willing to bet dollars to donuts that kids would rather get cold hard cash than any sort of collectable coin(s) anytime. Just because coins of whatever sort mean something to us dedicated collectors as such they signify nothing to the great majority of other adults in general and as such they likely mean even less, if that is even possible, to most of the children and grandchildren of collectors and non-collectors alike. A better inheritance for the next… Read more »
Kaiser, I’d say under current rules it is much better to bequeath a fully intact collection and to let the heirs liquidate it. That way the heirs only pay tax on the sale amount over what the collection is appraised at. So, if your collection is worth $1 million (just a ballpark number we’d all like to believe our collections are worth!) and they sell for $1 million and 50 cents, their tax obligation is only on the 50 cents. Otherwise, for us to liquidate means paying capital gains tax.
Okay, Major D, that puts an entirely different spin on this entire scenario. Since I was totally unaware of the tax implications (my bad, obviously) I completely neglected to include their ramifications into my more narrowly designed and intended so-called (but clearly not really) “practical” calculations. An intact collection it shall remain, and thanks so much for bringing that extremely pertinent and important information to my attention!
This may be categorized as a bit of an aside regarding this particular conversation, but I have to say I’ve never really been able to understand the very concept of “super heroes”. To my way of thinking a true hero is someone who at some unique moment in time and/or under some very unusually trying circumstances somehow manages to rise above his average day to day self, which is to say elevate himself to perform unexpectedly and exceptionally courageously, to be able to one way or another save and/or protect other individuals. On the other hand, Marvel type “super heroes”… Read more »
“ Probably the way forward is stick with straight bullion and use it to offset the dollar devaluation”..
And that’s exactly what the USM DC Clown coins will become in short order.
If the USM chooses to lower themselves to the other World Mint desperation gimmicks, so be it.
As long as I get my USM Doggy coin, I’m good to go!
“Desperation gimmicks”. As always, Rick, you not only have a way with words but simultaneously hit the proverbial nail right on the head. Ouch!
East Coast Guru, Excellent analysis on your part as always, my friend. It’s fairly clear to me and I think also to many others of our generation that the Mint is like a flopping fish out of water now when it comes to being able to think up revolutionary ways to snag new customers, most especially so the younger ones who it rather forlornly hopes will supposedly sustain its profitable(?) operations well into the future. Heck, I would imagine that if we hardened collectors already have it up to here with the Mint’s overpriced and underwhelming output what great hope… Read more »
It’s a shame but I will not be pushing DC Comics on my grandkids
They aren’t kid friendly anymore imho
“This opportunity with DC signals an exciting new era for the Mint as we continue our efforts to engage seasoned collectors, but also connect with younger, more diverse audiences,” said the Honorable Ventris C. Gibson, Director of the Mint. “We are thrilled to highlight the role that comic books have played in upholding American values, and the fact that the American public will be a guiding force in shaping this coin and medal series makes it even more special.”
Seasons Collectors gonna run like a snail from salt….. better a set of annual restrikes of past mint gems, which are impossible to afford…..
Now look what you’ve done,
I’m getting “Courtly” ads popping up…
I’m puking.
Cheer up, here you go,
In the right lighting, that Silvery Strike Dimension does come out as you’ve said, and looks pretty good…✓
Rick, Wow, that’s a great coin to have and it looks pretty dang nice! Anyone would be extremely happy to add it to their prized collection. I really enjoy you sharing some of your coins and experience. It’s nice knowing someone that actually posses some of these beauties! I just wish I could hold it in my hands, lol! Both you & E1 talking about the Kennedy’s has sparked my interest and has given me the itch to start looking at some of the better dates in high grade (affordable). I’m kinda saving my money for the Flowing Hair and… Read more »
Tony@GA,
My goodness, Tony@GA. It appears you’ve managed to unleash a veritable torrent of clearly raw emotion amongst us here!
That’s one way to cancel out and shame one’s culture.
Ventris has a true BS degree – that is NOT indicative of “upholding American values”! Truly disgusting (to me). I grew up in the 1950s when we had REAL American values.
DAVESWFL
Check!!
You just helped me remember, DAVESWFL, how safe I felt all by myself wandering the streets of Chicago at the age of six in 1953-54 and those of San Francisco at the age of twelve in 59-60 when my family had mandatory six month stays here in the USA away from my dad’s US Army postings in Austria and Germany. Good times!
Chicago…1953
San Francisco…1959
Unfortunately, the safety of those cities has been cancelled out. And purposely so.
Oh, that happened a long time ago, Rick. My own experience was that even the “better” areas and streets of Boston were no longer safe even in the daytime by 1969 as all manner of predatory behavior occurred practically anywhere in the city.
DAVESWFL, Ventris didn’t post the picture- Tony@GA did, I guess he must collect it. Life sure was good in the 1950’s, wasn’t it? If only we had a SCOTUS today that protected rights and freedoms and the constitution like the Warren Court did.
Major D,
“Those were the days my friend, we thought they’d never end.”
DAVESWFL,
DOUBLE CHECK✔️
Want to explain exactly what “one’s culture” is? Cheers!
Major D,
Don’t want to pre-empt anyone here regarding an explanation, but I’m fairly certain that would be in the “Each to his own” category.
Major D,
How does “Straight” sound?
Do you have a problem with that?
Now put your guns away.
Cheers
I’m very confused, E 1. Is this a reply to Major D, to myself or to both of us? In any case, to borrow a line from the movie Airplane, “I picked the wrong week to give up sniffing glue!”
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Kaiser,
No worries on your end.
E 1,
Thanks. I generate more than enough trepidation in my own head without the need to collect any extra from the outside world!
As if the tights and bodysuits were ambiguous. You all need to kick back and chill out with a Schmitts beer. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. LOL.
As long as they don’t jump into the Olympic size pool and unfairly win swimming meets against actual females or expose themselves in the women’s locker rooms, I don’t give a hoot what these dudes do with their bulges. Not my problem.
One of your best comments ever, Major D. My compliments to the chef!
I’ll bet it took some help from Calvin & Hobbes Transmogrifier to build a meme this big.