Liberty Head Type 3 Gold Dollar

The Liberty Head Type 3 Gold Dollar, introduced in 1856, was the final design in the gold dollar series and remained in production until the coin’s discontinuation in 1889. James B. Longacre’s redesigned coin features the Indian Princess Head, a simplified and shallower portrait of Liberty that allowed for better metal flow and sharply defined details. This improvement resolved the striking issues that plagued the earlier Type 1 and Type 2 designs, making the Type 3 Gold Dollar the most practical and enduring version of the series.

Liberty Head Type 3 Gold Dollar Coin Highlights

• Composition: .048375 troy oz of gold (90% purity) and 10% copper alloy
• Weight: 1.72 grams
• Diameter: 15 mm
• Designer: James B. Longacre (minted from 1856–1889)
• Smallest Coin Ever Created by the U.S. Mint

History of the Liberty Head Type 3 Gold Dollar

Through trial and error, Longacre refined his ideas for the gold dollar, creating a larger, flatter portrait for the Type 3 design. While often referred to as an “Indian Princess,” numismatic scholar Walter Breen suggested that the design was inspired by a Roman marble figure displayed at the Philadelphia Museum, with Longacre adding a headdress to complete the look.

The reverse retained the wreath design from the Type 2 Gold Dollar. Production peaked in 1856 and 1857, with annual mintages exceeding 2 million pieces during those years. However, mintage numbers dwindled significantly in later years, especially during the Civil War, which caused the closure of the Charlotte and Dahlonega Mints. For example, only 400 Gold Dollars were minted in 1875, making it one of the lowest production years.

Rarity and Collectibility

The 1856-D and 1861-D issues, struck at the Dahlonega Mint, are the rarest and most desirable dates in the series, especially in Mint State condition. However, for type collectors, high-grade examples of the Liberty Head Type 3 Gold Dollar are relatively available due to the larger mintages from Philadelphia during the coin’s early years.

In total, 19,499,337 gold dollars were minted across all three designs, with the Type 3 accounting for a significant portion of this total. Philadelphia produced the majority, with 18,223,436 coins struck, followed by smaller outputs from New Orleans, Charlotte, Dahlonega, and San Francisco. Despite their small size, gold dollars remained popular into the late 19^th century, often used as birthday gifts or in jewelry.

Legacy and Investment Appeal

The Liberty Head Type 3 Gold Dollar represents the culmination of Longacre’s efforts to create a practical and aesthetically pleasing gold coin. Its three-decade production run spanned some of the most turbulent times in U.S. history, making it a symbol of resilience and tenacity.

For collectors, this series offers a fascinating specialty to pursue by date and Mint of origin. While circulated examples are common, gem-quality coins and rare dates like 1856-D and 1861-D are highly sought after. Counterfeit examples exist, so collectors are advised to purchase from reputable dealers who guarantee authenticity.

At Constitutional Gold Group, we recommend starting your collection with one example of each gold dollar type and then exploring rarer issues, such as those from Charlotte (“C”) and Dahlonega (“D”) Mints. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a first-time investor, we’re here to guide you as your collection grows.