Indian Head $1 Gold Coin

The Indian Head $1 Gold Coin, also known as the Type 3 Gold Dollar, is a masterful blend of artistry, precision, and innovation from the mid-19th-century U.S. Mint. Struck from 1856 to 1889, this was the final design in the U.S. gold dollar series and marked a shift in both aesthetic direction and technical execution. Minted in .900 fine gold (90% gold and 10% copper), it is the smallest and lightest denomination of U.S. gold coinage ever produced.

The design of the Indian Head $1 Gold Coin is the work of James B. Longacre, Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint, whose artistic legacy lives on in many classic American coinage motifs. Although commonly referred to as "Indian Head," the obverse portrait is not a Native American. Rather, it depicts Liberty wearing a Native American-style feathered headdress, a symbolic fusion of classical and indigenous imagery meant to represent American identity and unity. The reverse design features a bold wreath of cotton, corn, tobacco, and wheat, representing key agricultural products of the American economy. Inside the wreath appears the denomination "1 DOLLAR" and the year of mintage, presented in clean, centered script. Mintmarks, when applicable, appear just below the wreath.

The Indian Head $1 Gold Coin is a captivating blend of tangible value, historical depth, and artistic beauty. As the last and most refined of the U.S. gold dollar series, it holds special appeal for both investors and collectors. Its small gold content offers an affordable entry point for those seeking pre-1933 U.S. gold coins, while its relative rarity and collectible status�especially in high grades or with branch mint marks�give it enduring numismatic value well beyond bullion.