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1881 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-5320

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About this coinHistory

The 1881 proof gold dollar was struck in an estimated mintage of 87 coins, a significant increase from the 1870s proof lows. President Garfield's assassination that September shook the nation, but the Mint's proof program, committed to annual delivery schedules, proceeded on plan. The growing collector base supported higher proof mintages through the 1880s.

Surviving 1881 proofs are moderately scarce. The higher proof mintage compared to the previous decade makes this one of the more available proof gold dollars from the final period of the series. Certified examples in PR64 or better can be found with patient searching.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
PR-63 Proof (PR)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
What is a 1881 Proof Indian Princess (Large Head) Gold Dollar made of?
90% Gold, 10% Copper, weighing 1.672 g.
What is the melt value of a 1881 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 1881 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.