About Four-Dollar Gold Pieces:  Suggested by John H. Kasson as a coin to compete in international trade, the Four-Dollar Stella made it to the pattern stage, but it was never minted for circulation. The 1879-dated pieces were struck for examination by congressmen, and the 1880-dated pieces were secretly made for sale to private collectors. Two obverse designs were created: the Flowing Hair, designed by Charles E. Barber and the Coiled Hair, designed by George T. Morgan.