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1859

Gold Coins · Indian Princess (Large Head) Gold Dollars · 1856–1889
Regular
Weight1.672 g
Diameter15 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 168,244
EdgeReeded
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition90% Gold, 10% Copper
DesignerJames B. Longacre
Collector's Key IDCK-5267

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About this coinHistory

Philadelphia produced 168,244 gold dollars in 1859, a recovery from the depressed 1858 figure. The economy was stabilizing after the Panic of 1857, and commercial demand for small gold coins increased accordingly. John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry that October sent tremors through the national political landscape, but the Mint's production schedule was driven by bullion deposits and commercial orders, and Brown's actions had no immediate effect on coin output.

The 1859 is available in circulated grades with moderate searching. Uncirculated examples exist but are less common than the high-mintage dates from 1856-1857. The coin represents a transitional period in the gold dollar's life: the denomination was still actively produced and circulated, but the approaching Civil War would dramatically alter the landscape of American coinage within two years.

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) $420 $485
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS) $950 $1,005
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1859 Indian Princess (Large Head) Gold Dollar worth?
In Very Fine condition it runs about $310–$355, rising to roughly $420–$485 in Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1859 Indian Princess (Large Head) Gold Dollars were minted?
168,244 were struck.
What is a 1859 Indian Princess (Large Head) Gold Dollar made of?
90% Gold, 10% Copper, weighing 1.672 g.
What is the melt value of a 1859 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 1859 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.