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1869 Proof

Gold Coins · Indian Princess (Large Head) Gold Dollars · 1856–1889
Regular Proof
Weight1.672 g
Diameter15 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeProof
EdgeReeded
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition90% Gold, 10% Copper
DesignerJames B. Longacre
Collector's Key IDCK-5293

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About this coinHistory

An estimated 25 proof gold dollars were struck in 1869. The transcontinental railroad had been completed in May, and the country's attention was focused on expansion and industrial growth. Proof gold dollar collectors remained a small but dedicated group, acquiring each year's offering from the Philadelphia Mint and preserving them with varying degrees of care.

The 1869 proof is one of the scarcer proof dates in the series. Surviving examples are rare enough that each auction appearance draws significant attention from specialists. The proof's mirrored surfaces and full strike provide a quality of detail that the year's 5,925-coin business strike run rarely matches.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
PR-63 Proof (PR)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
What is a 1869 Proof Indian Princess (Large Head) Gold Dollar made of?
90% Gold, 10% Copper, weighing 1.672 g.
What is the melt value of a 1869 Proof 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 1869 Proof 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.