1855 $1 Indian Princess NGC MS61

Introduction

The 1855 $1 Indian Princess Gold Dollar is a distinctive and historically important issue from the early years of American gold coinage. Graded NGC MS61, this example retains strong detail and original Mint State character. As part of the short-lived Type 2 Gold Dollar series, the coin is especially popular among collectors for its unique design and challenging production history.

History

The United States introduced the Gold Dollar denomination in 1849 following the California Gold Rush, which dramatically increased the nation’s gold reserves. In 1854, Chief Engraver James B. Longacre redesigned the series into the Indian Princess motif, creating the Type 2 design seen on the 1855 issue. Although visually impressive, the larger and more detailed portrait created striking difficulties at the Mint, resulting in weakly struck examples and a brief production run for the type. Today, the Type 2 Gold Dollar is considered one of the most distinctive and desirable designs in 19th-century American coinage.

Design

The obverse features Liberty depicted as an Indian Princess wearing a feathered headdress inscribed with LIBERTY. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounds the portrait. The larger portrait introduced in the Type 2 design gave the coin a more refined appearance than the earlier Liberty Head style.
The reverse displays the denomination 1 DOLLAR and the date within a wreath composed of cotton, wheat, corn, and tobacco tied together with a bow at the base. The agricultural wreath symbolizes the economic growth and prosperity of the United States during the mid-19th century.