US Gold $1 Coins
The $1 gold piece was produced by the United States Mint from 1849 until 1889. Intended to be used as regular currency, the gold dollar was issued in three types. Some American gold coins were melted down shortly before the Civil War for their value, and for a while, it was popular to incorporate these dollar coins into jewelry.
What are the different types of American gold dollars?
- Type 1 was struck from 1853 until 1949. The Liberty Head is on the front. These coins are smaller than the other two types
- Type 2 was issued from 1854 until 1856. These are called small Indian Princess Head coins for the image on the obverse
- Type 3 was produced from 1856 through 1889. The image of the Indian Princess head is similar to Type 2 but larger and flattened
How rare is each type of United States dollar coin?
- Type 1 includes the 1849-C, the rarest of all gold dollars
- 12 million other Type 1 coins were in circulation, but two-thirds of them were melted down between 1859 and 1861
- Type 2 dollars are all rare and highly desirable in any grade. They were only made for three years, so fewer of them exist
- Type 3 are more plentiful, but the group includes a very rare 1861-D, minted by the Confederacy and highly sought after by collectors
What does the original Type 1 dollar coin look like?
Lady Liberty is facing left and wears a small crown. Her head is surrounded by 13 stars that represent the original 13 colonies. These dollar coins were much smaller than other currency in circulation at the time.
Where were the gold coins minted?
- Charlotte, North Carolina, marked "C"
- New Orleans, marked "O"
- San Francisco, marked "S"
- Dahlonega, Georgia, marked "D"
- Philadelphia, unmarked
Why do some dollars have holes in them?
People drilled holes in the coins so that they could be worn on necklaces.
What is the wreath on the Indian Head dollar?
The reverse of the Type 2 and Type 3 dollar coins was designed by James B. Longacre. The wreath is made of corn, cotton, tobacco, and wheat, the major crops from the North and South.
Who is the Native American princess on the dollar coins?
She is not based on a real person. The designer wanted to depict Liberty as a Native American, but the fanciful headdress doesn't resemble anything used by an actual native tribe.