Indian Head Gold Dollar

The Indian Head Gold Dollar was minted from 1854 to 1889 and represents the Type 2 design (1854-1856) or Type 3 design (1856-1889) of the U.S. Gold Dollar series. Designed by James Barton Longacre, this coin features a Native American princess wearing a feathered headdress on the obverse, with 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' inscribed around the rim. The coin was created during America's westward expansion and gold rush era, serving as the smallest denomination gold coin in regular U.S. circulation. These coins were often impractical for daily commerce due to their tiny size but were popular for international trade and as a store of value during economic uncertainty.