Small Indian Princess Head Values
How Much Small Indian Princess Head Gold Dollars are Worth: Small 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1854 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $450 | $439 | $475 | $562 | $603 | $1,450.00 | $3,939.00 | $7,250.00 | $21,238.00 | $42,750.00 |
| 1855 | (None) Phil | -- | -- | $450 | $439 | $475 | $562 | $603 | $1,450.00 | $4,425.00 | $7,773.00 | $21,238.00 | $39,995.00 |
| 1855 | C | -- | -- | $3,000.00 | $2,740.00 | $3,320.00 | $4,950.00 | $6,000.00 | $30,495.00 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1855 | D | -- | -- | -- | $7,775.00 | $11,675.00 | $29,600.00 | $39,700.00 | $67,750.00 | $111,750.00 | $191,700.00 | -- | -- |
| 1855 | O | -- | -- | $565 | $859 | $1,043.00 | $1,535.00 | $2,147.00 | $8,088.00 | $30,425.00 | $50,750.00 | -- | -- |
| 1856 | S | -- | -- | -- | $750 | $958 | $1,770.00 | $2,475.00 | $11,075.00 | $19,650.00 | $46,500.00 | $106,900.00 | -- |
History of the Small Indian Princess Head Gold Dollar
The Small Indian Princess Head Gold Dollar, minted from 1854 to 1856, represents one of the most distinctive and short-lived chapters in American coinage. Designed by James Barton Longacre, Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint, this gold dollar marked a distinct artistic shift from the earlier Liberty Head design, reflecting both innovation and the challenges of 19th-century minting.
The coin’s introduction in 1854 coincided with America’s economic expansion and the California Gold Rush, which had flooded the nation with newly mined gold. Seeking a new design to symbolize progress and national identity, Longacre replaced the classic Liberty bust with a distinctly American representation; a Native American princess wearing a feathered headdress. While Liberty herself was still the model, this symbolic reinterpretation aimed to reflect America’s frontier spirit and growing sense of independence.
However, the coin’s high-relief design caused practical issues. Its small diameter and elevated relief made striking difficult, often resulting in weak details and uneven wear. After only a short production run, the design was modified into a larger format in 1856, commonly referred to as the Large Indian Princess Head Gold Dollar. Despite its limited mintage, the original “Small Head” design remains one of the most admired and historically significant U.S. gold issues of the 19th century.
Rarest Coins in the Series
Although the Small Indian Princess Head Gold Dollar was produced for only three years, several dates stand out for their rarity and historical allure. The most coveted issues were minted at the Charlotte (C) and Dahlonega (D) branch mints in the South, facilities known for their low mintages and inconsistent striking quality.
- 1855-C: Struck at the Charlotte Mint in North Carolina, this coin is rare in any condition and nearly unattainable in mint state. The total mintage was approximately 9,803 coins, but far fewer survive today.
- 1855-D: Minted in Dahlonega, Georgia, this issue is even scarcer, with a mintage of only 1,811 coins. Poor striking quality and extensive circulation have left only a handful of high-grade examples known today.
Philadelphia issues from 1854 and 1855 are more common but still highly desirable, especially when fully struck and free of cleaning or damage. Coins from Southern branch mints command significant premiums, making them some of the most valuable small-size U.S. gold coins in existence. The combination of artistry, rarity, and historical context makes these pieces highly regarded examples in numismatic collections.
Types of Collections
Collectors of the Small Indian Princess Head Gold Dollar often build their sets based on mint locations, year of issue, or strike quality.
- Type Collectors may seek just one example of the design, usually choosing a Philadelphia Mint issue due to its availability.
- Date and Mintmark Collectors focus on completing the full set of 1854–1856 coins, including rarities from Charlotte and Dahlonega.
- High-Grade Specialists look for coins with strong details in Liberty’s headdress and clean fields, often graded MS-63 or higher.
Prooflike and lustrous examples are valued for their intricate detail and surface quality. For those aiming to build a complete 19th-century gold dollar type set, the Small Indian Princess Head is a central and aesthetically impressive inclusion.
Beginner vs. Advanced Collecting
Beginner Collecting
For beginners, the Philadelphia issues of the Small Indian Princess Head Gold Dollar provide an accessible entry point into pre-Civil War gold coinage. These coins are relatively more common, and while not inexpensive, circulated examples can be obtained at prices well below the branch-mint rarities. Beginners should look for certified coins from PCGS or NGC to ensure authenticity, as counterfeit gold dollars occasionally appear on the market.
Advanced Collecting
Advanced collectors, by contrast, focus on rarity and quality. Securing a genuine 1855-D or 1855-C in mint state is a challenge that often requires years of searching and considerable time and resources. These coins are centerpieces of advanced numismatic collections and frequent auction highlights. Collectors at this level also appreciate the historical narrative, from Longacre’s artistic vision to the coin’s brief lifespan and its connection to Southern mints before the Civil War.
Investment Potential
The Small Indian Princess Head Gold Dollar carries lasting collector appeal, supported by its gold content, limited production, and enduring collector demand. While most 19th-century U.S. gold coins hold intrinsic metal value, the Small Indian Princess Head value far exceeds its gold content due to scarcity and historical importance.
Dates such as the 1855-C and 1855-D have shown steady collector interest, with high-grade examples selling for tens of thousands of dollars at major auctions. Even more common issues maintain strong demand due to the series’ short duration and its place in U.S. coinage history.
For investors seeking diversification, these coins offer both tangible intrinsic worth and numismatic prestige. Because the market for pre-Civil War gold has remained steady among collectors and institutions, ownership of a certified, high-grade specimen can serve as both a historical collectible and a tangible store of value.