1880 Large Head Indian Princess Gold Dollar

1880 Indian Princess Large Head gold dollars are pursued by numismatists who collect pre-1933 U.S. gold coins. 1880 gold dollar coins are quite scarce, and most have been melted. Yet, many of the survivors are in uncirculated condition, which is explained by the fact that gold dollar coins were widely hoarded by collectors beginning during the late 1870s. This trend continued right up through the end of the series in 1889.

1880 gold dollar coins were made only at the Philadelphia mint. Most of these coins were business strikes, though a few dozen were struck as proofs. Below is a look at the mintages and values of these gold coins:

• 1880, 1,600 minted; $486

• 1880 proof, 36; $5,500

*Values are for coins grading Extremely Fine-40, unless otherwise noted.

1880 gold dollar coins measure just 15 millimeters in diameter, weigh 1.672 grams, and contain 0.04837 ounces of gold, meaning they are one of the smallest gold coins that the United States has ever officially produced. Compared to larger gold coins, like the $10 eagles and $20 double eagles, $1 gold coins are rather affordable in terms of their absolute cost. However, if these coins are considered on the basis of premiums over spot, they are one of the more expensive pre-1933 gold coins on the market. Some cost several hundred dollars over spot – a huge sum considering they these tiny gold coins contain less than two grams of gold.

1880 gold dollars were designed by James B. Longacre, who served as United States Mint Chief Engraver from 1844 through 1869. Longacre designed many coins during his tenure at the U.S. Mint, including the Flying Eagle cent (produced from 1856-1858), Indian Head cent (1859-1909), two-cent piece (1864-1873), various silver and nickel three-cent coins (1851-1889), and the Shield nickel (1866-1883).