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When the US system of coinage was designed, plans for a gold dollar coin were not
included, but after two U.S. gold rushes, Congress wanted to expand the use of gold.
A North Carolina jeweler named Christoph Bechtler was capitalizing on the gold rush,
by offering to turn raw gold into coins. Bechtler's success caught the attention
of the Congress and several members suggested the US Mint take part in this new,
profitable venture by minting gold dollars of their own.
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Vital Stats.
- Designer: James Barton Longacre
- Content: 90% gold 10% other
- Diameter: 12.7 millimeters
- Edge: Reeded
- Weight: 1.7 grams
- Mint Mark Legend: Just below the wreath on the reverse.
No "I View" Grading
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Type 1
Liberty Head (1849-1854)
With and Without L Example
Open and Closed Wreath Example
The gold dollar was authorized (making it the smallest coin in the history of
US coinage). Because of larger quantities, new mints were opened at Charlotte and Dahlonega.
Because it was so small (13mm), it was easily lost making many critical of the
new coin. So, the Mint began experimentation with new designs. Since the weight
could not be changed, they tested wider, thinner, with a hole in the center, etc.
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General Grading Standards
VF20 Very Fine - LIBERTY on headband complete and legible. Knobs on coronet defined.
EF40 Extremely Fine - Slight wear on Liberty's hair. Knobs on coronet sharp.
AU50 About Uncirculated - Trace of wear on headband. Near full luster.
AU55 Choice About Uncirculated - Evidence of friction on design high points. Some of original mint luster present.
MS60 Uncirculated - No trace of wear. Light blemishes.
MS63 Choice Uncirculated - Some distracting contact marks or blemishes in prime focal areas. Impaired luster possible.
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In 1854 the US Mint increased the diameter to 15 mm. Its weight and composition
was not changed. Longacre's new obverse design was based on the three-dollar
piece. The coin is commonly called "Indian princess". Historians suggest the
design is based on a Roman statue with a headdress.
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Vital Stats.
Designer: James Barton Longacre
Content: 90% gold 10% silver and copper
Diameter: 14.3 millimeters
Edge: Reeded
Weight: 1.7 grams
Mint Mark Location: Just below the wreath on the reverse.
Year/
Mint | Circulation
Strikes |
| Type 2 Small Head |
| 1854 | 783,943 |
| 1855 | 758,269 |
| 1855-C | 9,803 |
| 1855-D | 1,811 |
| 1855-O | 55,000 |
| 1856-S | 24,600 |
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Type 2
Indian Princess Small Head (1854-1856)
The reverse of the gold dollar was modified and the inscription "UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA" was moved to the obverse. Basically, the wreath design remained unchanged.
But the height of the relief prevented many coins from being fully struck, therefore
the design was not sturdy enough for circulation and the Mint began to redesign the coin again.
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In 1856, a redesigned gold dollar was released by the Mint. Often called
"the Large Head type," Longacre's new design was similar to the earlier type.
The size of the Indian head was made larger, flatter, the headdress moved,
and the face was slightly changed.
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Type 3
Indian Princess Large Head (1856-1889)
In 1889, production of the gold dollar was discontinued, but the coin remained
popular in some areas until the country abandoned the gold standard in the 1930s.
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Grading Standards
VF20 Very Fine - Slight detail in curled feathers in headdress. Details worn smooth at eyebrow, hair below headdress, and behind ear and bottom curl.
EF40 Extremely Fine - Slight wear above and to right of eye and on top of curled feathers.
AU50 About Uncirculated - Trace of wear on feathers. Near full luster.
AU55 Choice About Uncirculated - Evidence of friction on design high points. Most of original mint luster present.
MS60 Uncirculated - No trace of wear. Light blemishes.
MS63 Choice Uncirculated - Some distracting contact marks or blemishes in prime focal areas. Impaired luster possible.
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