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HBCC #6156 – 1879 Coiled Hair Stella – Obverse HBCC #6156 – 1879 Coiled Hair Stella – Reverse
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1879 Coiled Hair Stella

HBCC#:
6156
Breen#:
n/a
BD#:
n/a
Judd#:
1640
Pollock#:
1840

This example with hair coiled in a small bun was the design of George Morgan. These patterns in aluminum are actually rarer than those struck in gold. Only about six examples of this variety are known. Harry Bass acquired this and the other two aluminum stellas, HBCC-6158 and HBCC-6159, from the Garrett Collection. The Garrett family acquired them from Edward Maris. These patterns have essentially had two owners for almost their entire existence. Note the inscription between the stars that specifies the exact weight and composition. This was a slightly modified metric composition.

Provenance:
From Stack's sale of a portion of the John Work Garrett collection, March 1976, Lot 668b.
Obverse:
Head of Liberty to left with coiled hair, wearing coronet inscribed LIBERTY, legends around read *6*G*.3*S*.7*C*7*G*R*A*M*S* with date below.
Reverse:
A five-pointed star at center inscribed ONE / STELLA / 400 / CENTS, two circular legends around, closest contains motto DEO EST GLORIA below and E PLURIBUS UNUM above, outer legend reads UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above and FOUR DOL. below.
Commentary: