$1 Gold (Type 3) Indian Head Type

The $1 Indian Head Gold Coin, more formally known as the Indian Princess Type, represents the final evolution of America’s smallest circulating gold denomination. Produced from 1854 to 1889, this elegant coin followed the earlier Liberty Head design and introduced a more intricate and symbolically rich portrayal of Liberty. Created by James B. Longacre, the Indian Head design was featured in two subtypes: Type 2 (1854–1856) and Type 3 (1856–1889), both showing Liberty wearing a stylized feathered headdress. These coins circulated during a time of immense growth, conflict, and rebuilding in the United States, and today stand as prized artifacts of that era.

Key Features:

• Purity: Composed of 90% gold (21.6 karats) and 10% copper, each $1 Indian Head Gold Coin contains 0.0483 troy ounces of fine gold. Its small size and thin profile made it vulnerable to wear, which makes higher-grade surviving examples harder to find.

• Design: The obverse features a left-facing bust of Liberty wearing a feathered headdress inscribed with “LIBERTY,” encircled by the legend “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” The reverse displays the denomination “1 DOLLAR” and year of issue surrounded by an open wreath of agricultural elements. Type 2 coins have a smaller, taller Liberty head and narrower wreath; Type 3, introduced in 1856, refined the portrait and improved striking quality for better detail and durability.

• Denomination: With a face value of $1, this coin was intended for daily use in small transactions, particularly during the gold-rich years following the California Gold Rush. However, its tiny size made it unpopular for everyday handling, leading to limited long-term use in circulation.

• Legal Tender: Issued by the United States Mint and authorized as legal tender, the $1 Indian Head Gold Coin circulated for over three decades. Though no longer in use, it remains an official U.S. coin and a unique link to the monetary practices of 19th-century America.

• Collectability: The Indian Head Gold Dollar is a standout among U.S. gold issues due to its rarity, unusual denomination, and ornate design. Type 2 coins are notably scarce, struck for just three years and often weakly struck, making high-grade pieces especially valuable. Type 3 coins were struck more consistently but still offer many low-mintage dates and branch mint rarities from Charlotte (C), Dahlonega (D), and San Francisco (S). Collectors value these coins for their elegance, historical resonance, and the challenge they pose to assemble a complete set.

Delicate in form yet rich in character, the $1 Indian Head Gold Coin is a remarkable expression of American numismatic artistry and a treasured relic of the nation's gold coinage era.