Lost Gold: The Mystery of America’s Forgotten $4 Stella Coins is a fascinating chapter in U.S. numismatic history that captures both the ambition and secrecy of 19th-century American coinage experiments.
Minted briefly between 1879 and 1880, the $4 Stella was the United States’ answer to aligning with European monetary systems as part of an effort to create an international coinage standard.
With a face value of four dollars and struck in both Flowing Hair and Coiled Hair designs, these coins were intended to match the value of foreign gold coins like the Austro-Hungarian 8 florins or the French 20 francs.
Designed by Charles E. Barber and George T. Morgan—two of the most prominent engravers of the era—the Stellas were never officially released for public circulation.
Instead, they were distributed in extremely limited numbers to members of Congress, sparking intrigue and controversy.
Many of these coins found their way into private hands, often through unofficial channels, adding an air of mystery and exclusivity to their legacy.
Only about 425 specimens were ever struck, making them some of the rarest and most coveted coins among collectors today.
Their unusual denomination, experimental origin, and limited production have made the $4 Stella a legendary artifact of American coinage history.