Designed by: James Barton Longacre
Issue Dates: 1849-1854
Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper
Diameter: 13 mm
Weight: 1.67 grams (25.77 grains)
Edge: Reeded
Business Strike Mintage: 12,565,273
Proof Mintage: Fewer than 50
The gold dollar made its historic ... Read More
Designed by: James Barton Longacre
Issue Dates: 1849-1854
Composition: 90% gold, 10% copper
Diameter: 13 mm
Weight: 1.67 grams (25.77 grains)
Edge: Reeded
Business Strike Mintage: 12,565,273
Proof Mintage: Fewer than 50
The gold dollar made its historic debut in 1849, a direct response to the influx of gold from the California Gold Rush. This first design, known as the Type 1 Liberty Head, was struck continuously through 1854 and remains a cornerstone in early U.S. gold coinage.
Measuring just 13mm in diameter, the Type 1 gold dollar holds the distinction of being the smallest coin ever struck for circulation by the U.S. Mint—even tinier than the silver three-cent piece.
Obverse: Features a left-facing portrait of Miss Liberty, her hair tied behind her head and wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY, encircled by 13 stars representing the original colonies.
Reverse: A delicate open wreath surrounds the denomination 1 DOLLAR, with the date below. Encircling the design is the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
The Type 1 gold dollar was primarily struck at the Philadelphia Mint, but select issues were also minted at New Orleans (O), Charlotte (C), Dahlonega (D), and San Francisco (S). Today, all Charlotte and Dahlonega issues are scarce, with many considered rarities, particularly in Mint State.
Philadelphia coins are best-suited for type collectors due to their stronger strikes and greater availability.
Branch mint issues, particularly from Charlotte and Dahlonega, are notoriously weakly struck and are prized more for rarity than sharpness.
Grades Available: Most survivors range from Very Fine (VF) to About Uncirculated (AU).
Uncirculated examples are scarce, especially those with bold luster and strong definition.
Superb Mint State coins (MS65 and above) are true rarities, and demand from registry collectors continues to escalate.
This first-generation gold dollar:
Represents a pivotal shift in American coinage during the California Gold Rush era
Is a type essential for both gold collectors and U.S. type set enthusiasts
Offers historical and aesthetic appeal in a compact format
Remains affordable in circulated grades, with exceptional upside in higher conditions
Browse our curated inventory of Liberty Head Type 1 gold dollars, including PCGS and NGC-certified examples. Whether you're building a 19th-century type set or seeking early U.S. gold with strong eye appeal and rarity, this diminutive classic is a must-have.
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