1868 Large Head Indian Princess Gold Dollar

1868 Indian Princess Large Head gold dollars are popular among coin hobbyists who enjoy collecting pre-1933 U.S. gold coins. 1868 gold dollars are relatively scarce, which is characteristically the case for almost all 1860s gold dollar issues. Indeed, gold dollars from the 1860s are rather difficult to find in the marketplace, and most often they are found in well-worn grades given their extensive use in the Western United States, where the California Gold Rush of the 1840s and 1850s meant gold was quite plentiful in the region. Thankfully for numismatists today, gold dollars were also popular as holiday gifts, and thus some 1868 gold dollars are still found in uncirculated condition.

The United States Mint branch locations struck many gold coins in the latter 19th century, though only the Philadelphia Mint made 1868 gold dollar coins. Here is a rundown of the mintages and values of 1868 gold dollar coins:

• 1868, 10,500 minted; $866

• 1868 proof, 25; $10,000

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

1868 gold dollar coins are physically small in size. They measure only 15 millimeters in diameter, weigh just 1.672 grams, and contain a mere 0.04837 ounces of gold. As they are diminutive gold coins, they are relatively more affordable than larger pre-1933 U.S. gold coins such as $10 eagles and $20 double eagles, but they also carry a much higher numismatic premium gram for gram. Therefore, they don’t make the most efficient purchases for gold bullion investors, who usually seek the coins with the lowest possible premiums over spot value.

1868 gold dollar coins were designed by James B. Longacre. The noted coin designer served an important role as the United States Mint Chief Engraver James B. Longacre from 1844 until his death in 1869. During that time, he designed a number of noteworthy U.S. coins, 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).