SMALL INDIAN HEAD GOLD DOLLARS (1854-1856)
Images courtesy of Heritage Numismatic Auctions
SMALL INDIAN HEAD GOLD DOLLARS (1854-1889)
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The Type II Gold Dollar was minted from 1854-1856 and sports a smaller head than the Type III Gold Dollar, and slight differences in headdress design.
LARGE INDIAN HEAD GOLD DOLLARS (1856-1889)
In 1856, the head of the Indian Princess was enlarged, the headdress was moved to the top of the head, and the face was given a more mature appearance.
1856 The 5 in the date on the reverse is found Upright or Slanted.
1861-D All of these were issued by the Confederacy after they seized the Mint at Dahlonega; very scarce.
1873 Business strikes come with Open and Closed 3's in the date.
1875 An extremely scarce date.
FACTS:
The year 1854 saw a couple of design changes in U.S. coins, all initiated by James Ross Snowden, who became Mint Director in 1853. On the Three Cent Silver coins, the weight was reduced, two outlines were added around the star on the obverse, and an olive branch and a bunch of arrows were added to the reverse. Rays were removed from the reverse of the Quarter Dollar and Half Dollar denominations. And, the Gold Dollar was redesigned by Longacre to feature a Liberty head and wreath similar to those seen on the new Three Dollar Gold pieces (which also debuted earlier in 1854).
SPECIFICATIONS:
Large Indian Design
Designer: James Barton Longacre
Diameter: 14.3 millimeters
Metal content:
Gold - 90%
Silver and Copper - 10%
Weight: 25.8 grains (1.7 grams)
Edge: Reeded
Mint mark: Below the wreath on the reverse and none for Philadelphia Mint.
Small Indian Design
Designer: James Barton Longacre
Diameter: 14.3 millimeters
Metal content:
Gold - 90%
Silver and Copper - 10%
Weight: 25.8 grains (1.7 grams)
Edge: Reeded
Mint mark: "D" (for Dahlonega, GA) below the wreath on the reverse
Images courtesy of David Akers Numismatics, Inc.
LARGE INDIAN HEAD GOLD DOLLARS (1856-1889)
