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1870

Gold Coins · Indian Princess (Large Head) Gold Dollars · 1856–1889
Semi-key
Weight1.672 g
Diameter15 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 6,335
EdgeReeded
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition90% Gold, 10% Copper
DesignerJames B. Longacre
Collector's Key IDCK-5296

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About this coinHistory

Philadelphia struck 6,335 gold dollars in 1870, maintaining the low-production pattern of the late 1860s. The Fifteenth Amendment was ratified in February, guaranteeing voting rights regardless of race. The gold dollar continued its existence as a denomination without a country, produced by the Mint in token quantities for financial use while paper money handled everyday commerce.

The 1870 is scarce, with an estimated 50 to 75 survivors across all grades. Most grade between Fine and Extremely Fine. Uncirculated coins are uncommon. The 1870 shares the same rarity profile as most of the surrounding dates, making the entire late-1860s through mid-1870s stretch of the gold dollar series a sustained challenge for date-set collectors.

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) $460 $530
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $570 $660
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU) $640 $735
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS) $885 $1,025
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS) $2,225 $2,355
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1870 Indian Princess (Large Head) Gold Dollar worth?
In Very Fine condition it runs about $460–$530, rising to roughly $885–$1,025 in Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1870 Indian Princess (Large Head) Gold Dollars were minted?
6,335 were struck.
What is a 1870 Indian Princess (Large Head) Gold Dollar made of?
90% Gold, 10% Copper, weighing 1.672 g.
What is the melt value of a 1870 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 1870 Indian Princess (Large Head) Gold Dollar a key date?
It's a semi-key date — scarcer than common issues but more available than the series' key dates.