1856-S $1 Indian Head Gold Dollar AU-58 NGC

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In the mid nineteenth century, the United States Mint introduced a diminutive gold coin that captured the spirit of a growing nation. This 1856 gold dollar features the distinctive Indian Head design, a celebrated motif in American numismatic history. Struck with a purity of 0.900 fine gold, this tiny coin contains just 0.0484 troy ounces of precious metal, yet it carries immense historical presence. This specific coin was produced at the San Francisco mint, as indicated by the prominent 'S' mint mark. The year 1856 was a notable period for the western mint, which had only been operating for a few years following the California gold boom. With a remarkably low mintage of just 24,600 pieces, surviving examples from this production run are highly prized by historians and enthusiasts alike. On the reverse, the coin clearly displays its denomination and year of issue, inscribed as '1 DOLLAR 1856'. This specimen has survived the intervening generations in exceptional condition, graded as About Uncirculated 58 (AU-58), meaning it retains much of its original luster and detail from the day it left the coining press in California.