United States Gold $1 Coin
Type 1 Liberty Head • Type 2 & 3 Indian Princess • 1849–1889
Gold One Dollar Coins Value Guide
The tables below list approximate values for gold one dollar coins by date and mint, from Very Fine through gem MS-65, split by design type. Each coin holds 0.04837 troy ounces of pure gold, so with gold near $4,140 per ounce in mid-October 2026, melt value is about $200. Even so, every gold dollar trades well above melt, because collector demand sets the price rather than the metal.
For a quick estimate on a coin in hand, try our What's My Coin Worth tool, or compare other denominations in the full Coin Price Guide. In particular, watch the mint mark: Charlotte (C) and Dahlonega (D) coins often bring five to ten times the Philadelphia price.
Type 1 Liberty Head Values (1849–1854)
The smallest U.S. coin ever struck, at just 13mm. Philadelphia dates are the most affordable way into the series, while the Charlotte and Dahlonega issues are scarce in every grade.
| Date / Mint | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | MS-60 | MS-63 | MS-65 | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1849 No L | — | $450 | $550 | $1,100 | $2,000 | $7,000 | eBay → |
| 1849 Open Wreath | $370 | $420 | $465 | $725 | $1,850 | $5,250 | eBay → |
| 1849-D KEY | $2,500 | $3,750 | $4,500 | $8,000 | $20,000 | $90,000 | eBay → |
| 1849-O | — | $550 | $650 | $1,575 | $3,500 | $16,500 | eBay → |
| 1850 | $350 | $395 | $435 | $625 | $800 | $8,000 | eBay → |
| 1850-C KEY | $1,850 | $3,000 | $4,750 | $9,000 | $45,000 | — | eBay → |
| 1850-D KEY | $2,250 | $3,850 | $5,000 | $15,000 | $52,500 | — | eBay → |
| 1850-O | $1,050 | $1,400 | $1,750 | $4,250 | $12,500 | — | eBay → |
| 1851 | $350 | $395 | $435 | $600 | $800 | $2,750 | eBay → |
| 1851-C | $1,750 | $2,500 | $3,500 | $5,000 | $7,500 | $27,500 | eBay → |
| 1851-D | — | $3,250 | $4,250 | $7,250 | $22,500 | $100,000 | eBay → |
| 1851-O | $400 | $500 | $550 | $975 | $2,000 | $6,000 | eBay → |
| 1852 | $350 | $395 | $435 | $600 | $800 | $2,750 | eBay → |
| 1852-C | $1,650 | $2,500 | $3,350 | $6,000 | $17,500 | $62,500 | eBay → |
| 1852-D | $2,000 | $3,000 | $4,500 | $10,000 | $42,500 | — | eBay → |
| 1852-O | $425 | $525 | $600 | $1,450 | $5,000 | $40,000 | eBay → |
| 1853 | $350 | $395 | $435 | $600 | $800 | $3,231 | eBay → |
| 1853-C KEY | $2,500 | $4,500 | $5,250 | $8,250 | $25,000 | — | eBay → |
| 1853-D | — | $3,750 | $4,500 | $9,000 | $27,500 | $65,000 | eBay → |
| 1854 | $350 | $395 | $435 | $600 | $800 | $2,750 | eBay → |
| 1854-D KEY | — | $6,750 | $8,000 | $13,000 | $55,000 | — | eBay → |
| 1854-S | — | $1,500 | $2,000 | $4,750 | $11,500 | $50,000 | eBay → |
Type 2 Small Indian Princess Values (1854–1856)
The Type 2 lasted barely two years, so it is the scarcest of the three types. Its low relief struck poorly, which means sharp examples carry a strong premium, especially from the branch mints.
| Date / Mint | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | MS-60 | MS-63 | MS-65 | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1854 | $520 | $613 | $650 | $1,525 | $4,700 | $25,000 | eBay → |
| 1855 | $520 | $613 | $650 | $1,525 | $4,700 | $25,000 | eBay → |
| 1855-C KEY | $3,500 | $5,375 | $6,625 | $30,000 | — | — | eBay → |
| 1855-D KEY | $13,000 | $35,000 | $45,000 | $75,000 | $130,000 | — | eBay → |
| 1855-O | $1,125 | $1,625 | $2,300 | $8,625 | $35,000 | — | eBay → |
| 1856-S KEY | $1,050 | $2,000 | $2,675 | $11,500 | $22,500 | $150,000 | eBay → |
Type 3 Large Indian Princess Values (1856–1889)
The longest-running design holds most of the series' dates. Common Philadelphia years are affordable even in Mint State; however, the 1861-D Confederate issue, the Civil War-era 1863 to 1865 dates, and the low-mintage 1875 are major rarities.
| Date / Mint | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | MS-60 | MS-63 | MS-65 | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1856 Slanted 5 | $458 | $513 | $538 | $638 | $1,000 | $2,175 | eBay → |
| 1856 Upright 5 | $458 | $525 | $550 | $750 | $1,700 | $11,500 | eBay → |
| 1857 | $489 | $513 | $538 | $638 | $1,075 | $3,550 | eBay → |
| 1857-C | $2,500 | $4,000 | $5,125 | $10,250 | — | — | eBay → |
| 1857-D KEY | $2,675 | $4,000 | $5,750 | $25,000 | $110,000 | — | eBay → |
| 1857-S | $888 | $1,250 | $1,800 | $5,750 | $27,500 | — | eBay → |
| 1858 | $458 | $513 | $538 | $638 | $1,225 | $5,401 | eBay → |
| 1858-D | $2,500 | $4,125 | $5,375 | $9,750 | $32,500 | $75,000 | eBay → |
| 1858-S | $750 | $1,050 | $1,275 | $5,750 | $18,000 | $52,500 | eBay → |
| 1859 | $489 | $513 | $538 | $638 | $1,075 | $2,475 | eBay → |
| 1859-C | $2,625 | $3,725 | $5,100 | $8,125 | $42,500 | — | eBay → |
| 1859-D | $2,275 | $3,125 | $4,250 | $9,250 | $27,500 | $70,000 | eBay → |
| 1859-S | $638 | $925 | $1,525 | $5,875 | $25,000 | — | eBay → |
| 1860 | $458 | $525 | $550 | $750 | $1,400 | $10,125 | eBay → |
| 1860-D KEY | $5,125 | $8,500 | $11,750 | $32,500 | $65,000 | — | eBay → |
| 1860-S | $638 | $838 | $1,063 | $3,075 | $5,875 | $45,000 | eBay → |
| 1861 | $458 | $525 | $563 | $675 | $1,150 | $2,625 | eBay → |
| 1861-D KEY | $42,500 | $65,000 | $80,000 | $140,000 | $225,000 | $400,000 | eBay → |
| 1862 | $458 | $513 | $538 | $650 | $1,050 | $2,325 | eBay → |
| 1863 KEY | $1,400 | $2,875 | $4,500 | $9,125 | $14,750 | $32,500 | eBay → |
| 1864 | $1,175 | $1,400 | $1,650 | $4,375 | $9,000 | $12,000 | eBay → |
| 1865 | $900 | $1,425 | $2,125 | $4,375 | $7,125 | $12,375 | eBay → |
| 1866 | $638 | $825 | $1,025 | $1,700 | $2,875 | $5,050 | eBay → |
| 1867 | $550 | $838 | $1,025 | $1,550 | $2,675 | $8,125 | eBay → |
| 1868 | $575 | $763 | $925 | $1,325 | $2,625 | $8,000 | eBay → |
| 1869 | $575 | $750 | $888 | $1,450 | $2,375 | $5,250 | eBay → |
| 1870 | $550 | $763 | $900 | $1,375 | $2,150 | $5,375 | eBay → |
| 1870-S | $900 | $1,375 | $2,125 | $4,125 | $9,375 | $37,500 | eBay → |
| 1871 | $600 | $675 | $775 | $1,175 | $2,150 | $4,175 | eBay → |
| 1872 | $575 | $713 | $813 | $1,375 | $2,950 | $8,125 | eBay → |
| 1873 Open 3 | $458 | $513 | $538 | $638 | $1,000 | $1,925 | eBay → |
| 1873 Closed 3 | $550 | $850 | $1,025 | $1,875 | $4,125 | $17,000 | eBay → |
| 1874 | $489 | $513 | $538 | $638 | $1,000 | $1,425 | eBay → |
| 1875 KEY | $4,050 | $6,500 | $8,250 | $20,000 | $27,500 | $52,500 | eBay → |
| 1876 | $550 | $688 | $813 | $1,300 | $2,250 | $5,750 | eBay → |
| 1877 | $575 | $688 | $788 | $1,125 | $2,075 | $5,250 | eBay → |
| 1878 | $575 | $675 | $763 | $1,050 | $1,700 | $5,250 | eBay → |
| 1879 | $575 | $675 | $838 | $1,000 | $1,525 | $2,875 | eBay → |
| 1880 | $575 | $588 | $682 | $975 | $1,319 | $2,513 | eBay → |
| 1882 | $575 | $650 | $744 | $838 | $1,350 | $1,950 | eBay → |
| 1883 | $575 | $538 | $563 | $675 | $1,050 | $1,575 | eBay → |
| 1884 | $575 | $594 | $613 | $863 | $1,175 | $1,975 | eBay → |
| 1885 | $575 | $650 | $688 | $725 | $1,175 | $2,200 | eBay → |
| 1886 | $575 | $594 | $613 | $750 | $1,100 | $1,850 | eBay → |
| 1887 | $514 | $538 | $563 | $725 | $1,088 | $1,675 | eBay → |
| 1888 | $575 | $650 | $663 | $675 | $1,050 | $1,475 | eBay → |
| 1889 | $514 | $538 | $563 | $675 | $1,025 | $1,425 | eBay → |
Design of the Gold One Dollar Coin
Gold One Dollar Coins, minted from 1849 to 1889, feature a graceful portrait of Lady Liberty wearing a coronet inscribed with "Liberty," surrounded by stars that highlight the artistry of 19th‑century American coinage. The reverse presents a simple yet elegant wreath encircling the denomination and date, symbolizing prosperity and giving the coin a timeless visual appeal. This combination of beauty, clarity, and symbolism continues to captivate collectors today.
The series spans three distinct design types, each reflecting the evolving priorities of the U.S. Mint and its chief engravers. The Type 1 Liberty Head design, introduced in 1849, established the coin's foundational aesthetic. The Type 2 Small Indian Princess followed in 1854 with a larger diameter and a new portrait. The Type 3 Large Indian Princess, introduced in 1856, gave the coin the bold, recognizable face it would wear through the end of production in 1889.
Historical Context and Everyday Use
Introduced during the California Gold Rush, these coins emerged at a time when gold flowed into the nation's economy and small‑denomination gold pieces were practical for daily transactions. Their tiny size made them convenient yet sometimes difficult to handle, but they quickly became a trusted form of payment — especially in frontier regions where paper money was less reliable. Today, their connection to westward expansion and early American commerce adds to their historical significance.
Several branch mints struck gold dollars alongside the Philadelphia Mint, including facilities at Charlotte, Dahlonega, New Orleans, and San Francisco. Coins from Charlotte and Dahlonega — both now closed — are especially sought by collectors for their regional rarity and frontier history. Low mintage years from these facilities routinely command strong premiums at auction, making date and mint-mark research an essential part of building a complete set.
Introduction of the Type 3 Design
In 1856, Chief Engraver James B. Longacre introduced the Type 3 Gold Dollar design to fix the weak strikes that plagued the Type 2. This new version, known as the Large Indian Princess or "Large Head" design, kept the 15mm diameter introduced in 1854 but used a larger, bolder portrait in higher relief. Lady Liberty was reimagined as a Native American princess wearing a feathered headdress, giving the coin a distinctive identity within U.S. numismatics and setting it apart from the earlier two types.
The Type 3 design offered a fresh interpretation of Liberty that collectors quickly embraced. The obverse showcased the Native American princess in profile, her headdress inscribed with "Liberty," while the reverse retained the familiar wreath and denomination with refined lettering. This blend of traditional elements and innovative artistry created a coin that symbolized both cultural diversity and evolving American design sensibilities.
Modern Collector Appeal
Many Gold One Dollar Coins were lost or melted over time, making surviving examples increasingly scarce and highly desirable. Collectors value them for their artistry, rarity, and the challenge of assembling sets across the three major design types. Well‑preserved pieces often achieve strong auction results, reflecting their enduring appeal. For numismatists, these coins represent both the romance of the Gold Rush era and the refinement of 19th‑century U.S. minting.
Today, the Type 3 Gold Dollar remains highly regarded for its unique aesthetic and historical significance. Its sharper strike, practical 15mm size, and distinctive portrayal of Liberty make it a standout among 19th‑century U.S. gold issues. Collectors value the coin not only for its beauty but also for its role in the evolution of American coinage, ensuring its lasting appeal in numismatic collections. For current certified values, visit the FRC Coin Price Guide.
Gold Coin Explorer
Browse classic U.S. gold coins, modern bullion issues, and certified rarities. Select a category and click any coin to see details and find current listings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the three design types of the U.S. Gold One Dollar Coin?
How much is a gold one dollar coin worth today?
Which gold dollar mint marks are the most valuable?
Are gold one dollar coins made of solid gold?
What is the rarest gold one dollar coin?
Should I buy raw or certified (PCGS/NGC) gold dollar coins?
How do I store and protect my gold dollar coins?
Collecting and Investing Strategies for United States Gold Coins This book covers regular-issue gold series from 1795 through 1933 and informs the reader on a number of investing strategies, including collecting by type, variety, or rarer issues.
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