1855 $1 Indian Head Gold Type 2 MS-61 NGC

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In 1855, the United States Mint in Philadelphia produced a distinct variation of the gold dollar, known to enthusiasts as the Type 2 Indian Head. This specific coin, struck from 0.900 fine gold with a metal content of 0.0484 troy ounces, represents a brief and fascinating design window in American numismatic history. Out of a mintage of 758,269 pieces, this specimen has survived in a certified Mint State 61 condition. The obverse of the coin features an elegant depiction of Liberty facing left, wearing a stylized headdress. She is encircled by thirteen stars representing the original colonies, with the legend "United States of America" arching above her. Because this coin lacks a mint mark, we know it was struck at the main Philadelphia Mint. On the reverse, the coin displays its one-dollar denomination and the 1855 date. This central inscription is framed by a detailed wreath that weaves together four of America's major historical agricultural crops: tobacco, corn, wheat, and cotton. This intricate botanical frame highlights the nation's mid-nineteenth-century agricultural identity, making the coin a beautiful study in both artistry and history.