1861 Liberty Gold Dollar

About This Coin

The 1861 Liberty Gold Dollar is a United States dollar from the Large Indian Princess Head Gold Dollars 1856-1889 series — an early issue, 6th of 34 years in the series. In 1861, coins were struck at the Dahlonega and Philadelphia Mints with a combined mintage of 528,499. This ranks 31st of 34 years by total mintage, above the series median of 7,419. The obverse features a female figure wearing a feathered headdress, representing Liberty in the guise of a Native American princess with a larger, more detailed head design and the reverse displays a wreath enclosing the denomination 1 DOLLAR. Civil War disrupted Southern mint operations. The Dahlonega Mint struck gold dollars under Confederate authority early in the year. Struck in 90% gold, 10% copper, weighing 1.7 grams, 14.3 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Across its variants, estimated values range from $466 to $188K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $180K in MS64+ grade at Heritage Auctions. Designed by James Barton Longacre.