GOLD COIN FIELD GUIDE
Liberty Head Gold Dollar
This tiny Type 1 dollar has a Liberty portrait, not the later feathered headdress. Branch-mint dates and specific reverse varieties deserve a closer look before a metal-only valuation.
The metal baseline
- Profile covers
- 1849–1854
- Composition
- 90% gold
- Standard gross weight
- 1.672 g
- Fine gold per coin
- 0.04837 troy oz
- Face value
- $1.00
1854 appears on two different gold-dollar types
The Type 1 Liberty Head and Type 2 Indian Princess designs overlap in 1854. The portrait, not the date by itself, settles which type guide to use.
The 1849-C Open Wreath is a specific reverse variety. Authentication and a clear reverse view come before borrowing a price from an attributed example.
Where to look. Read the date and mintmark on the reverse. For 1849-C, distinguish the rare open wreath from the much more available closed wreath.
Dates and details worth a second look
This is a selected watch list, not every key date or variety in the series. Finding a matching date is a reason to inspect further—not proof of authenticity, grade, or a particular value.
What do these collector labels mean?
Variety. A specific attributed design or die difference, not every coin with that year.
Key date. An important scarce issue in this series; grade and authenticity still matter.
- Variety
1849-C Open Wreath
The scarce open-wreath reverse is a particular variety, not every 1849-C gold dollar.
Check the attribution reference ↗ - Key date
1854-D
A scarce Dahlonega issue. Authentication and surface quality matter greatly.
Check the attribution reference ↗
Two questions, not one price
What is the contained metal worth? This profile uses 0.04837 fine troy ounces of gold per coin. Multiply that by the number of matching coins and a current per-troy-ounce gold quote. The calculator shows the quote and its freshness when available.
What might a collector pay for this coin? That takes the exact issue, condition, surfaces, finish, and any authenticated variety. The checkpoints above explain why a collector sale may differ from the metal estimate. A calculated melt value is neither a guaranteed buying offer nor a complete appraisal.
The listed weights are standard reference specifications, with rounded published fine-metal values. They do not measure wear, damage, missing metal, or authenticity in your individual coin. Gross grams include the alloy; fine troy ounces describe the precious metal itself.
Use this profile in the calculator →Build a useful comparison
- Record the full date, mintmark, denomination, and finish. Photograph both sides and any diagnostic detail.
- Use the specific references above to check a suspected variety. Do not clean the coin to make a feature easier to see.
- Compare completed sales for the same issue and similar condition. Separate proof, special-strike, and attributed examples from ordinary coins.
- Record shipping and other costs separately. An asking price or one exceptional auction result is not a typical sold price.
References and further checking
Use these references to inspect the issue and attribution in more detail. Prices, populations, and market premiums can change.
Educational reference only; not individualized appraisal or investment advice. For a potentially valuable or questionable example, use a qualified numismatist or established authentication service.