1857 Large Head Indian Princess Gold Dollar

1857 Large Head Indian Princess Gold Dollar, also known as Type III gold dollars, are pieces that are highly valued by coin hobbyists. These gold coins, designed by United States Mint Chief Engraver James B. Longacre, represent the third design type in the gold dollar coin denomination, which spanned from 1849 through 1889.

1857 gold dollar coins are generally scarce, and this is especially the case with the two mintmarked varieties that year, which were struck at the Charlotte (C), Dahlonega (D), and San Francisco (S) mints. Here’s a look at mintages and values for the various 1857 gold dollar coins:

• 1857, 774,789 minted; $353

• 1857-C, 13,280; $1,750

• 1857-D, 3,533; $2,400

• 1857-S, 10,000; $965

*Values are for coins grading Extremely Fine-40.

As 1857 Large Head Indian Princess Gold Dollar measure just 15 millimeters wide, weigh in at only 1.672 grams, and contain a relatively small 0.04837 ounces of pure gold, these coins do not make the best bullion investments. This is especially the case because the numismatic premiums on these coins are much higher than their intrinsic gold values.

While these coins may not be what bullion investors pursue, they are beloved by coin collectors who enjoy pre-1933 gold coins and numismatic history. Many coin hobbyists who pursue these old gold coins will collect them as type pieces to complete a collection that contains one of each major design type among all gold coins series. More financially well heeled coin collectors will even attempt completing a date set, which would contain one example from each year the Indian Princess Large Head series was made.