GOLD DOLLAR 1849-1854 Liberty Head - More Details

This gold dollar is the smallest United States coin ever minted. Imagine a coin half the size of today’s tenth ounce gold coin. Because it was easily lost, production was limited to this single period in time. The obverse of the style minted from then to 1854 depicts the head of Miss Liberty facing left, her hair tied at the back, and wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY. Thirteen stars surround. The reverse depicts a wreath open at the top enclosing the numeral 1, the value DOLLAR, and the date. The inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds. Production was continuous during this period. Examples were produced primarily at the Philadelphia Mint, but the facilities at New Orleans, Dahlonega, Charlotte and San Francisco contributed as well. All of the Charlotte and Dahlonega coins are scarce today, and some are very rare. Charlotte and Dahlonega coins in particular are nearly always very weakly defined in certain areas. Examples of Philadelphia Mint gold dollars are readily available in various grades from Very Fine to AU. Uncirculated pieces are scarce, and superb Uncirculated coins are rare.

The type set collector will probably want to acquire a Philadelphia Mint gold dollar in this span, for these are far more plentiful than those of branch mints and also are better struck.