INDIAN HEAD GOLD DOLLARS: The so called Indian Princess Head Gold Dollar was designed by James Longacre and minted from 1854 to 1889. The first, which is actually Type 2 because there was a prior Liberty Head Gold Dollar, was issued until 1856. The second Indian Princess Gold Dollars, Type 3, was minted from 1856 to 1889.

The Type 2 Gold Dollars showed a Caucasian head of Liberty facing left wearing a stylized feathered headdress. It is inscribed LIBERTY on the headband. She is surrounded by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The reverse shows an open wreath of corn, cotton, maple, and tobacco tied below with a bow. The wreath encircles the denomination, 1 DOLLAR, and the date. The problem with this Gold Dollar was that it did not strike up well. In fact mint state examples looked worn and, in some cases, so circulated that the date could not be read on the coin. This problem most affected the branch mint issues, which Longacre did not get to see until afterwards. The proofs that he saw did not have this as a problem. To remedy this situation, Longacre designed the Type 3 Gold Dollars. While the design was similar to the previous issue, Longacre lowered the relief and moved the obverse head so as not to be opposite a reverse relief area. This Gold Dollar is called the Large Size or Large Head.

The Small Head Gold Dollars had a mintage that ranged from a high of 783,943 in 1854 to a low of 1,811 for 1855-D. The Large Head Gold Dollars had as its highest mintage 1,762,936 in 1856 and a low of 400 in 1875.

Rarities for the Indian Head Gold Dollar are 1855-C, 1855-D, 1856-D, 1860-D, and 1861-D.

Specifications:
Edge: Reeded
Weight: 1.672 grams (25.8 grains) (.0538 troy ounces)
Diameter: 15 millimeters
Composition: 90% gold; 10% copper
Gold Content: 1.505 grams (23.22 grains) (.0484 troy ounces)