Years
Designer
James B. Longacre
Composition
90% gold, 10% copper
Diameter
14.3 mm
Mass
1.672 g
Thickness
1 mm
Edge
Reeded
Mints
Philadelphia, Charlotte, Denver, New Orleans, San Francisco
Metal
Gold
Design
Type 1 Liberty Head 1849–54 (small); Type 2 Indian Princess small head 1854–56; Type 3 large head 1856–89. The smallest U.S. gold coin.
History
Born of the California gold rush — Congress wanted a gold coin people could actually spend. Type 2 struck poorly (the wreath opposite Liberty’s head) and was quickly replaced. Charlotte, Dahlonega, and New Orleans issues are the southern gold story. 1875 is the Philadelphia key.
Key dates
Varieties
1849-C · 1849-C open wreath
design · stopper
75 issues