$1 Common Date Gold Coins

U.S. $1 gold coins were minted in three distinct types from 1849-1889, beginning in the Gold Rush era when new gold supplies made small-denomination gold practical. Type 1 (Liberty Head/Coronet, 1849-1854) is the first design and was small and delicate, with many pieces later used in jewelry due to their convenient size. Type 2 (Indian Princess “Large Head,” 1854-1856) was made wider and thinner to improve striking, but the thin planchet often brought weak details and made the coins easy to bend. Type 3 (Indian Princess “Small Head,” 1856-1889) kept a smaller diameter but used a thicker planchet, which helped the design strike up better and made the coins more durable. Today, all three types are popular for “type sets” because each looks noticeably different while still offering classic, historic U.S. gold in a compact format.