The Indian Head $1 Gold Coin is a 19th-century U.S. gold dollar designed by James B. Longacre. Struck in 90% gold, it features Liberty wearing a Native American-style headdress on the obverse and a wreath of agricultural crops around the denomination on the reverse.
Craftsmanship: The Indian Head $1 Gold Coin, also known as the Type 3 Gold Dollar, was struck from 1856 to 1889. The compact 90% gold coin reflects the U.S. Mint’s effort to refine the gold-dollar format while retaining a detailed Longacre design on a very small planchet.
Design Details: James B. Longacre’s obverse features Liberty wearing a feathered headdress, a design commonly called the Indian Head type. The reverse places the denomination and year within a wreath of agricultural crops, creating a compact design suited to the coin’s small diameter.
Investment & Legacy: The Indian Head $1 Gold Coin combines 90% gold content with the compact size and distinctive final design of the U.S. gold dollar series. Its James B. Longacre portrait and 19th-century production history give the coin collector interest beyond its precious-metal content.
