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. 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, while the reverse displays a wreath enclosing the denomination 1 DOLLAR. Designed by James Barton Longacre. Struck in 90% gold, 10% copper, weighing 1.7 grams, 14.3 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. The Large Indian Princess Head Gold Dollar (Type 3) corrected the striking problems of the Type 2 with a larger, higher-relief portrait. This final gold dollar design was produced from 1856 to 1889, surviving through the Civil War and the era of Reconstruction. The most available of the three gold dollar types. The 1875 (mintage 400) is the key date. Charlotte (C) and Dahlonega (D) mint marks command premiums.