Whitman Expo
Liberty Gold Dollar Type 3 $1 Gold MS 1856-1889 Values
Details
The final design choice for the Gold Dollar denomination was determined in 1856 and lasted until 1889 when these dollars would see their permanent demise. Since the Type 1 Gold Dollar was too small and the Type 2 that was meant to fix that ended up having problems of its own, the mint had finally had enough and came up with a plan to resolve these issues for good. That is what resulted in the creation of the Type 3 Gold Dollar. The design was changed subtly yet dramatically in ways such as enlarging and rearranging the devices to make for better metal flow. This was the goal in order to maintain the larger sized coin but fix striking issues which for the most part was successful. Although, this fix was not perfect as the smaller branch mints still suffered from weak strikes so any Dahlonega minted Gold Dollar with a crisp strike is a coin whose desirability is beyond incredible. Some rare dates to lookout for are the 1856-D, 1861-D and 1875.
This coin is made of 90% gold; 10% copper and has a current melt value of $221.83
Obverse: Indian head portrait, larger than the type 2 design, with crown centered in the design surrounded by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the periphery.
Reverse: "1 DOLLAR" is centered with date below, surrounded by a large wreath tied in a bow at the bottom. Mint mark, if any, appears at the bottom below the blow.
Basic Information
GSID:
72367
Coin Date:
Liberty Gold Dollar
Denomination:
G$1 / $1 Gold
Designation:
MS
Varieties and Classification
Variety:
Type 3
Variety 2:
1856-1889
Physical Characteristics
Fineness:
0.9
Weight:
1.672 gr
Weight:
0.0538 oz
Precious Metal Weight:
0.04837 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
15 mm
Coin Shape:
Round
Design Details
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
LIBERTY
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Reverse Lettering:
1, DOLLAR, [Date]
Reverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Feedback:
![Red Book Podcast with John Feigenbaum and Jeff Garrett [Video]](https://images.greysheet.com/l/blogs/20260417/b30b4ba0-dc36-41c3-9c77-c26fa7c27498.png)
