A seldom-seen Coiled Hair Stella Pattern certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®) realized more than $2 million in an elite Heritage Auctions sale of US coins. Twenty-one other NGC-certified lots, including three others Stellas, each realized six-figure prices in the ANA US Coins Signature Auction‘s Rarities Night sale on August 26, 2025.
The top coin of the auction was an 1880 Coiled Hair $4 Stella graded NGC PF 67 (lot 3383), which realized $2,280,000, a record for any Stella sold through Heritage Auctions. The 1880 Coiled Hair $4 Stella is one of the most enigmatic rarities in US coinage. Only a handful are known to exist, and this particular example is unsurpassed in numerical grade. The coin features Liberty with tightly wound hair, a stark contrast to the locks of the Flowing Hair Stella.
Additionally, an 1880 Flowing Hair $4 Stella graded NGC PF 66 Cameo (lot 3382) also impressed with a price realized of $492,000. So-called because of the prominent five-pointed star on their reverse, the Stella Patterns were originally conceived as part of an effort to create an American currency that would be embraced in trade in Europe. Though the coins ultimately failed to win authorization for circulation, they are highly prized by collectors today.
Remarkably, two other NGC-certified Stellas also realized six-figure prices in the auction. An 1880 J-1662 Coiled Hair $4 Stella graded NGC PF 67 Cameo (lot 3306) realized $198,000 while an 1879 Flowing Hair $4 Stella graded NGC PF 63 Cameo (lot 3379) realized $168,000. Though more numerous than their 1880 counterparts, the 1879-dated coins are still only thought to number in a few hundred.
Other NGC-certified auction highlights included two gold rarities from the earliest years of the US Mint: an 1800 Eagle graded NGC SP 66 (lot 3433) that realized $576,000 and an 1808 Quarter Eagle graded NGC MS 63 (lot 3331) that realized $384,000. This 1800 Eagle is the finest-certified example and one of only two known Specimen strikes, while the 1808 Quarter Eagle is one of only about a dozen known today in Mint State.
"The results of this sale affirm the trust that the numismatic community puts in NGC’s expert authentication and grading services at every level," said Scott Schechter, NGC Chief Numismatist and Senior Vice President, Grading. "Collectors clearly bid with confidence, knowing NGC-certified coins are backed by the NGC Guarantee of authenticity and grade."
Other NGC-certified coins that realized prices of at least $100,000 in this auction included:
- an 1886 Double Eagle graded NGC PF 66 Ultra Cameo (lot 3510), which realized $288,000
- a 1925-S Double Eagle graded NGC MS 66 (lot 3538), which realized $240,000
- a 1915-S Panama-Pacific Octagonal $50 graded NGC MS 65+ (lot 3544), which realized $228,000
- an 1802 Quarter Eagle graded NGC MS 65 (lot 3326), which realized $228,000
- an 1808 Quarter Eagle graded NGC MS 62 (lot 3330), which realized $228,000
- a 1914 Double Eagle graded NGC PF 67 (lot 3541), which realized $216,000
- an 1856-O Double Eagle graded NGC XF 40 (lot 3469), which realized $210,000
- an 1871-CC Seated Liberty Dollar pedigreed to the Richmond Collection and graded NGC MS 64 (lot 3188), which realized $204,000
- an 1825 Quarter Eagle graded NGC MS 66 (lot 3333), which realized $180,000
- an 1841 Quarter Eagle graded NGC PF 55 (lot 3346), which realized $156,000
- a complete 1915-S Panama-Pacific Commemorative Set graded NGC MS 62 to NGC MS 65 (lot 3546), which realized $150,000
- an 1879 J-1608 Pattern Silver Dollar pedigreed to the Lemus Collection and graded NGC PF 65 Cameo (lot 3294), which realized $144,000
- an 1872-CC Seated Liberty Dollar graded NGC MS 64 (lot 3190), which realized $144,000
- a Massachusetts 1652 ‘IN’ OBV Oak Tree Sixpence graded NGC MS 66★ and pedigreed to the Hanson and Partrick Collections (lot 3018), which realized $132,000
- a 1911 Eagle graded NGC PF 67 (lot 3460), which realized $114,000
- a 1908 Half Eagle graded NGC PF 67 (lot 3421), which realized $114,000
Prices realized include a buyer’s premium.
About Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®)
NGC is the world’s largest and most trusted third-party grading service for coins, tokens and medals, with more than 60 million collectibles certified, including a 1787 Brasher Doubloon that sold for a record $9.36 million. Founded in 1987, NGC provides an accurate, consistent and impartial assessment of authenticity and grade, backed by the comprehensive NGC Guarantee, which gives collectors greater confidence. To learn more, visit NGCcoin.com.
NGC is part of the Certified Collectibles Group® (CCG®), whose mission is to empower collectors with services that ignite passion, create value and build community. With more than 100 million collectibles certified across a wide range of categories, CCG’s brands — NGC, Paper Money Guaranty® (PMG®), Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®), James Spence Authentication (JSA) and Authenticated Stamp Guaranty® (ASG®) — are synonymous with trust and expertise in their hobbies.
