1855 $1 Indian Head Gold Dollar Type 2 MS-63 PCGS

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In 1855, the United States Mint in Philadelphia struck a distinctive variation of the smallest gold denomination, known to collectors as the Type 2 Indian Head gold dollar. This design was minted for only a very brief period, making surviving examples highly sought after by those who study the evolution of American coinage. This particular specimen has been certified as Mint State 63 (MS-63), indicating a well-preserved piece of nineteenth-century minting history. With a composition of 90 percent gold, this tiny treasure contains 0.0484 troy ounces of precious metal. The obverse features an stylized portrait of Liberty wearing a Native American feathered headdress, while the reverse displays the denomination and the date within a wreath. Because it was struck at the main Philadelphia facility, the coin bears no mint mark. Out of an original mintage of 758,269 pieces, finding one in such a choice, uncirculated state offers a rare glimpse into the craftsmanship of the pre-Civil War era.