Large Indian Princess Head Values
How Much Large Indian Princess Head Gold Dollars are Worth: Large Indian Princess Head Gold Dollar Values & Coin Price Chart
Year | Mint | Variety | Designation | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | U-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 | MS-67 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1800 | P | Plain 4- Stemless Wreath | Red-brown | 200 | 300 | 400 | 500 | 600 | 700 | 800 | 900 | 1000 | 1200 | 1100 |
| Year | Mint | Variety | Designation | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | MS-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1856 | (None) Phil | Slanted 5 | -- | $305 | $326 | $352 | $393 | $456 | $567 | $798 | $1,029.00 | $2,060.00 | $4,333.00 |
| 1856 | (None) Phil | Upright 5 | -- | $306 | $327 | $355 | $401 | $438 | $689 | $1,613.00 | $2,670.00 | $10,788.00 | $25,325.00 |
| 1857 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $289 | $311 | $352 | $393 | $477 | $567 | $924 | $1,195.00 | $3,345.00 | $5,063.00 |
| 1857 | C | -- | -- | -- | $1,980.00 | $2,335.00 | $3,775.00 | $4,880.00 | $10,960.00 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1857 | D | -- | -- | -- | $1,430.00 | $2,560.00 | $3,790.00 | $5,435.00 | $22,400.00 | $91,300.00 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1857 | S | -- | -- | -- | $440 | $780 | $1,123.00 | $1,640.00 | $5,670.00 | $23,375.00 | $36,800.00 | -- | -- |
| 1858 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $305 | $326 | $352 | $393 | $425 | $567 | $1,145.00 | $1,535.00 | $5,575.00 | $7,150.00 |
| 1858 | D | -- | -- | -- | $1,883.00 | $2,345.00 | $3,930.00 | $5,075.00 | $9,180.00 | $27,250.00 | $43,700.00 | $68,300.00 | $101,250.00 |
| 1858 | S | -- | -- | -- | $358 | $675 | $949 | $1,185.00 | $5,475.00 | $17,425.00 | $26,000.00 | $48,250.00 | -- |
| 1859 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $289 | $311 | $352 | $393 | $425 | $567 | $897 | $1,128.00 | $2,343.00 | $4,925.00 |
| 1859 | C | -- | -- | -- | $1,540.00 | $2,475.00 | $3,513.00 | $4,813.00 | $7,785.00 | $36,650.00 | -- | -- | -- |
| 1859 | D | -- | -- | -- | $1,633.00 | $2,173.00 | $2,975.00 | $4,025.00 | $8,770.00 | $23,650.00 | $38,450.00 | $58,100.00 | -- |
| 1859 | S | -- | -- | -- | $466 | $585 | $865 | $1,435.00 | $5,560.00 | $21,300.00 | $31,800.00 | -- | -- |
| 1860 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $305 | $327 | $355 | $401 | $438 | $672 | $1,328.00 | $3,003.00 | $9,600.00 | $20,050.00 |
| 1860 | D | -- | -- | -- | $3,265.00 | $4,150.00 | $7,830.00 | $10,260.00 | $28,350.00 | $60,000.00 | $84,900.00 | -- | -- |
| 1860 | S | -- | -- | -- | $347 | $532 | $778 | $1,000.00 | $2,913.00 | $5,545.00 | $13,050.00 | $36,250.00 | -- |
| 1861 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $305 | $326 | $352 | $402 | $444 | $589 | $1,022.00 | $1,530.00 | $2,600.00 | $7,000.00 |
| 1861 | D | -- | -- | -- | $34,150.00 | $38,850.00 | $57,800.00 | $71,900.00 | $125,000.00 | $195,000.00 | $241,500.00 | $337,500.00 | -- |
| 1862 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $305 | $326 | $352 | $393 | $530 | $573 | $816 | $1,101.00 | $2,055.00 | $2,988.00 |
| 1863 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $853 | $1,210.00 | $2,490.00 | $3,900.00 | $8,380.00 | $14,000.00 | $16,100.00 | $25,875.00 | $39,995.00 |
| 1864 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $825 | $1,095.00 | $1,305.00 | $1,563.00 | $4,040.00 | $8,575.00 | $10,100.00 | $11,510.00 | $14,575.00 |
| 1865 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $660 | $770 | $1,350.00 | $2,000.00 | $4,150.00 | $6,750.00 | $8,020.00 | $11,738.00 | $18,400.00 |
| 1866 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $479 | $559 | $753 | $958 | $1,608.00 | $2,905.00 | $3,430.00 | $5,035.00 | $8,275.00 |
| 1867 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $363 | $468 | $780 | $954 | $1,455.00 | $2,525.00 | $4,690.00 | $7,630.00 | $9,675.00 |
| 1868 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $358 | $424 | $703 | $858 | $1,234.00 | $2,530.00 | $3,900.00 | $7,535.00 | $9,290.00 |
| 1869 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $358 | $440 | $692 | $824 | $1,314.00 | $2,240.00 | $2,780.00 | $4,950.00 | $11,040.00 |
| 1870 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $358 | $440 | $678 | $813 | $1,218.00 | $1,923.00 | $3,695.00 | $5,090.00 | $9,125.00 |
| 1870 | S | -- | -- | -- | $578 | $770 | $1,300.00 | $2,005.00 | $3,870.00 | $8,585.00 | $11,975.00 | $37,995.00 | $75,000.00 |
| 1871 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $352 | $402 | $567 | $690 | $1,095.00 | $2,083.00 | $2,448.00 | $3,940.00 | $8,625.00 |
| 1872 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $300 | $333 | $371 | $555 | $689 | $1,287.00 | $2,785.00 | $3,775.00 | $7,688.00 | $11,475.00 |
| 1873 | (None) Phil | Open 3 | -- | $289 | $326 | $352 | $393 | $425 | $567 | $798 | $1,054.00 | $1,792.00 | $3,140.00 |
| 1873 | (None) Phil | Closed 3 | -- | -- | $358 | $440 | $794 | $949 | $1,790.00 | $3,525.00 | $7,715.00 | $16,325.00 | $23,580.00 |
| 1874 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $289 | $699 | $352 | $393 | $425 | $567 | $812 | $984 | $1,298.00 | $1,828.00 |
| 1875 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $2,915.00 | $3,575.00 | $6,113.00 | $7,550.00 | $16,050.00 | $22,825.00 | $48,495.00 | $46,875.00 | $133,750.00 |
| 1876 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $400 | $401 | $451 | $622 | $752 | $1,220.00 | $2,145.00 | $2,865.00 | $5,310.00 | $13,995.00 |
| 1877 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $358 | $424 | $603 | $728 | $1,065.00 | $1,950.00 | $2,600.00 | $4,950.00 | $6,363.00 |
| 1878 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | -- | $358 | $396 | $484 | $703 | $988 | $1,613.00 | $2,420.00 | $4,950.00 | $17,995.00 |
| 1879 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $300 | $326 | $358 | $421 | $541 | $927 | $1,433.00 | $1,820.00 | $2,710.00 | $3,513.00 |
| 1880 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $302 | $333 | $366 | $437 | $499 | $675 | $1,038.00 | $1,365.00 | $1,950.00 | $2,710.00 |
| 1882 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $302 | $333 | $366 | $399 | $499 | $780 | $1,259.00 | $1,508.00 | $1,825.00 | $2,760.00 |
| 1883 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $302 | $333 | $366 | $412 | $449 | $600 | $850 | $1,178.00 | $1,485.00 | $2,042.00 |
| 1884 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $302 | $333 | $366 | $437 | $499 | $789 | $1,054.00 | $1,508.00 | $1,868.00 | $2,420.00 |
| 1885 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $302 | $333 | $366 | $399 | $449 | $650 | $1,038.00 | $1,503.00 | $2,130.00 | $3,015.00 |
| 1886 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $302 | $333 | $366 | $437 | $499 | $675 | $938 | $1,229.00 | $1,743.00 | $2,505.00 |
| 1887 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $302 | $333 | $366 | $412 | $449 | $650 | $912 | $1,068.00 | $1,603.00 | $2,450.00 |
| 1888 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $302 | $333 | $366 | $399 | $449 | $600 | $850 | $1,054.00 | $1,403.00 | $1,938.00 |
| 1889 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $302 | $333 | $366 | $412 | $449 | $600 | $979 | $1,043.00 | $1,298.00 | $1,828.00 |
History of the Large Indian Princess Head Gold Dollar
The Large Indian Princess Head Gold Dollar was introduced in 1856 as the Type 3 gold dollar, following less successful earlier issues. The coin’s designer, James Barton Longacre, sought to correct the striking problems of the prior “Small Head” (Type 2) series by enlarging Liberty’s portrait and refining the die layout.
Struck from 1856 until 1889, these coins were minted at multiple facilities, notably Philadelphia (P), Charlotte (C), Dahlonega (D), and San Francisco (S). The varied mint locations contribute to their collectability.
The obverse depicts Liberty adorned in a Native American‐style headdress (the “Indian princess” motif), an allegorical design rather than an accurate ethnographic portrayal. On the reverse is an agricultural wreath composed of corn, wheat, cotton, and tobacco, to symbolize American prosperity and unity across North and South.
Compared to the earlier gold dollar types, the Large Indian Princess Head series offered improved striking qualities by reducing recessed die areas and reworking the relief to ensure metal flow in the press. The design proved durable and ran for a long production span of over thirty years.
Because of the long production span (1856–1889) and the range of mint locations (Philadelphia (P), Charlotte (C), Dahlonega (D), and San Francisco (S)), the series offers substantial variety. However, not all mint outputs are equally available today: branch-mint issues from Dahlonega and Charlotte had notably low mintages and survival rates, such as the 1861-D, with only about 1,000 coins struck and very few surviving, making these southern issues very scarce and sought after by collectors. These factors combine to make discerning variety, grade, and provenance critical in assessing the Large Indian Princess Head Gold Dollar value.
Rarest Coins in the Series
Within the Large Indian Princess Head Gold Dollar series, certain dates and mint mark combinations are especially rare and thus command outsized premiums in the market. According to the price data:
- The 1861‐D issue (Dahlonega branch mint) is among the most sought after part of the series thanks to its low mintage and Civil-War era context.
- Other southern mint issues from Charlotte or Dahlonega are also scarce due to smaller mintages and less survival in high grade. For example, many Dahlonega struck coins saw intense circulation or melting.
- Some particularly rare years include early San Francisco issues, such as the 1856‐S, associated with the California Gold Rush, and low‐mintage later dates, such as the 1875 Philadelphia, with a mintage of approximately 420 coins.
The coin value charts suggest that even moderately circulated examples of these rare dates achieve several thousand dollars, while high‐grade specimens can realize even greater prices. Depending on grade, values can vary widely; for example, one value chart lists around $2,553 for a mid-grade MS specimen of the 1868 P, though higher grades may command significantly more.
Hence, when evaluating the Large Indian Princess Head Gold Dollar value, date, mint mark, grade, and preservation are all critical.
Types of Collections
Collectors of this series adopt a variety of collecting strategies that match their interests and budgets:
- Representative / Type Set: A collector might include one example of the Large Indian Princess Head Gold Dollar (perhaps a more accessible date from a major mint) to represent this Type 3 gold dollar design.
- Date & Mint Mark Set: A more ambitious approach would involve assembling one example of every date and mint mark (P, C, D, S) from 1856 through 1889. The southern mint examples and very low mintage years create challenge and depth.
- Variety / Specialty Set: Some collectors may focus on southern branch mints or on the smallest mintage years (e.g., 1861-D) or target high‐grade uncirculated surface preservation. These sets often emphasize quality over quantity.
- High‐Grade / Investment Set: At the top tier, collectors might concentrate on only the finest known specimens in MS (mint state), with sharpness of strike, original surfaces, and minimal handling marks. These coins are fewer in number and represent the premium end of the market, where the highest Large Indian Princess Head Gold Dollar value resides.
The series thus offers flexibility: from a single nicely struck specimen to a deep specialist accumulation of rare mint marks and high grades.
Beginner vs. Advanced Collecting
Beginner Collecting
For someone newer to gold coin collecting but familiar with U.S. coinage, the Large Indian Princess Head Gold Dollar can be an appealing option. While not inexpensive, many dates from the major mints (especially Philadelphia) can be acquired without approaching ultra‐rare premiums.
Advanced Collecting
For advanced collectors, the focus intensifies considerably. At this level, one studies die varieties, strike weaknesses, branch‐mint survival data, provenance, and ultra‐high grades (MS65+, proof variants where they exist). The slightest surface mark, wear point, or cleaning can affect grade and therefore dramatically impact the Large Indian Princess Head Gold Dollar value. Advanced collectors may track population data from grading services, study auction records, and participate in competitive bidding for rare dates.
Investment Potential
From an investment viewpoint, the Large Indian Princess Head Gold Dollar series offers several favorable features:
- Gold content baseline: Like other gold coins, the content of gold provides a minimum floor beneath which the coin’s value is unlikely to fall.
- Historical and design significance: The series represents an important phase in U.S. coinage design (Longacre’s refinements, multiple branch mints, extended period), and this narrative helps support collector demand.
- Scarcity of high‐grade and branch‐mint survivors: The very lowest mintage issues (e.g., 1861-D) or high‐grade examples of more common dates are rare, and scarcity drives premium value. As shown in recent value charts, even moderately rare dates can sell for multiples of their gold content.
However, investors should be aware that not all dates will appreciate equally. Common dates in lower grades may track closer to gold value and may not offer significant upside. The greatest appreciation potential lies in rare dates, branch-mint issues, and high‐grade uncirculated examples with original surfaces. Those coins represent where the highest Large Indian Princess Head Gold Dollar value resides. For enthusiasts prepared to focus on rarity, grade, and provenance, the series offers a blend of artistry, history, and gold coin investing.