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1856 Slanted 5

Gold Coins · Indian Princess (Large Head) Gold Dollars · 1856–1889
Regular
Weight1.672 g
Diameter15 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 1,762,936 Combined mintage for all 1856 Philadelphia varieties
EdgeReeded
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition90% Gold, 10% Copper
DesignerJames B. Longacre
Collector's Key IDCK-5255

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About this coinHistory

The Type 3 gold dollar appeared in 1856 after two years of manufacturing problems with the Type 2 design. James B. Longacre enlarged the head of Liberty, making it a scaled-down version of the three-dollar coin he had designed in 1854. The relief was lowered to work properly on the thin 15-millimeter planchet, and the lettering was repositioned closer to the rim. The changes solved the strike problems that had plagued the Type 2 and produced a design that would last without modification from 1856 through 1889.

The 1856 Slanted 5 is the standard variety for the first year. The numeral 5 in the date leans slightly to the right, a result of the punch orientation during die preparation. Philadelphia struck 1,762,936 gold dollars in 1856, shared across the Slanted 5 and Upright 5 varieties. The Slanted 5 is the more common of the two. Circulated examples are readily available, and Uncirculated coins with clean surfaces can be located with patience. The 1856 Slanted 5 is the natural type coin for collectors seeking a single representative of the Type 3 gold dollar.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G)
VG-8 Very Good (VG)
F-12 Fine (F)
VF-20 Very Fine (VF) $310 $355
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $310 $360
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU) $320 $370
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS) $460 $530
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS) $895 $945
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1856 Slanted 5 Indian Princess (Large Head) Gold Dollar worth?
In Very Fine condition it runs about $310–$355, rising to roughly $460–$530 in Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1856 Slanted 5 Indian Princess (Large Head) Gold Dollars were minted?
1,762,936 were struck (Combined mintage for all 1856 Philadelphia varieties).
What is a 1856 Slanted 5 Indian Princess (Large Head) Gold Dollar made of?
90% Gold, 10% Copper, weighing 1.672 g.
What is the melt value of a 1856 Slanted 5 Indian Princess (Large Head) Gold Dollar?
Its melt value is its metal content multiplied by the current spot price. See our melt calculator on the metals pages for a live figure.
Is the 1856 Slanted 5 Indian Princess (Large Head) Gold Dollar a key date?
It's a more common date overall, though scarcer die varieties may carry a premium — see the varieties list.