Coinage of the gold dollar (one dollar gold
coins) was authorized by the Act of March 3, 1849. The weight
of the gold dollars was 25.8 grains, .900 fineness. The
first type of these gold coins, struck until 1854, is known
as the Liberty Head or small sized type (Type 1).
In 1854, the dollar coins (one dollar gold
coins) were made larger in diameter and thinner. The design
was changed to a feather headdress on a female, generally
referred to as the Indian Princess Head or larger-sized
type (Type 2). In 1856, the type was changed slightly by
enlarging the size of the head (Type 3).
Designer James B. Longacre; weight
1.672 grams; composition .900 gold, .100 copper (net weight
.04837 oz. pure gold); diameter 13mm; reeded edge; mints:
Philadelphia, Charlotte, Dahlonega, New Orleans, San Francisco.
