US Gold $1 Indian Princess Large Head Type 3 Dollar - VF - Random Date

US Gold $1 Indian Princess Large Head Type 3 Dollar - Random Date

VF Condition

US Gold $1 Indian Princess Dollar represents the third of three series for the gold dollar denomination. The series produced three distinctive types: a Liberty Head (Type 1), a Small Head Indian Princess (Type 2), and the Large Head Indian Princess (Type 3). The Type 3 version, which is being offered in this listing, was minted from 1856 to 1889 and survived the Gold Reserve Act of 1934 which outlawed private ownership of gold in the United States.

Coin Design
Obverse: Indian Princess Large Head with inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Reverse: Wreath with inscription 1 DOLLAR and date

Coin Artist
Obverse and Reverse: James B. Longacre (1794 - 1869)

VF Condition
The coins being offered in this listing are in "Very Fine" condition, which is often abbreviated by numismatists as simply "VF." On the Sheldon 1-70 numerical grading scale, coins in VF condition would grade between 20 and 35. Coins that grade VF show moderate amounts of wear with some loss of detail on the highest points. However, all major design elements are fully intact including the rims, date, and all lettering. If a coin had been plucked out of everyday circulation, there's an excellent chance it would have been in Very Fine condition.

When purchasing "Random Dates" you can expect to receive dates and types of our choice, depending upon current stock on hand. If you purchase multiple coins you may or may not receive all the same date, depending upon availability. This listing is for the Large Head Type 3 coins dated 1856 - 1889.

This listing uses "Reference Images"
The "Reference Images" used in this listing Description were created by Liberty Coin for reference only to depict the quality of the item you will receive.  You will NOT receive the exact item that was photographed to create the Reference Images.  However, the actual item you will receive is guaranteed to be similar to that shown and exactly as described.

About U.S. Indian Princess Gold Dollars
The Indian Princess Gold Dollar was struck from 1854 to 1889 and represented the second series for the denomination. In 1856 the obverse design was modified, creating two distinct subtypes. The first carries a smaller portrait and higher relief, while the second carries a larger portrait and lower relief. The coins were struck at five different mint facilities including Philadelphia, Dahlonega, Charlotte, New Orleans, and San Francisco, although production would take place almost exclusively at the Philadelphia Mint after the start of the American Civil War. The series includes a number of issues with extremely low mintages that have come to be recognized as great rarities.
The gold dollar denomination had been authorized under the Coinage Act of March 3, 1849, as a direct result of the California Gold Rush. The initial series was struck for five years and in relatively large numbers, but there were concerns that the coins were too small to be conveniently used in commerce. One potential solution was to place a hole in the middle of the coins in order to increase the diameter while staying within the limits of the gold content. This idea had also been suggested in the late 1840s, but at the time it was not considered practical since producing the planchets with holes involved a cumbersome and costly process.
In 1854, an alternate solution was found simply by reducing the thickness of the coins in order to allow an increase in diameter from 13 to 15 millimeters. Along with change in diameter, new obverse and reverse designs were created by United States Mint Chief Engraver James Barton Longacre. The obverse design features an Indian or Native American princess wearing an ornate feathered crown with a band inscribed LIBERTY. The additional inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA appears widely spaced surrounding the portrait. The reverse design features an agricultural wreath, composed of corn, cotton, tobacco, and wheat. The denomination 1 DOLLAR and the date appears within the wreath.
During the initial years of the series, the Philadelphia Mint struck the Indian Princess Gold Dollars in reasonably high numbers and the coins appeared in circulation with some frequency. Mintage levels at the Charlotte and Dahlonega Mints were significantly lower, leading to the creation of numerous scarce issues. The landscape would change following the start of the Civil War, which caused widespread hoarding of all gold, silver, and eventually copper coins. Production at three of the four branch mints was discontinued, and the output at the Philadelphia Mint plummeted to the low thousands.
Production reached its absolute low in 1875 with a mintage of merely 400 pieces. By this point, it had become apparent that the gold dollar denomination was not really necessary or popular within circulation. Mint Directors began to advocate for the discontinuation of the denomination, which was used mostly for gift giving or within jewelry. In 1889, the final coins of the series and denomination were struck for circulation and in proof format. Under the Act of September 26, 1890, Congress abolished the gold dollar, along with the three cent nickel and three dollar gold piece.