06/15/2026
1889 Indian Princess Dollar Object # 114 ANA 2020.8.1
Authorized in 1849, the gold dollar debuted alongside the $20 double eagle – a dramatic pair created to absorb the flood of California gold. Together, they marked the smallest and largest gold coins ever produced by the United States for circulation.
This later “Indian Princess” type, introduced in 1856, resembles John Longacre’s $3 gold design with Liberty bedecked in a fanciful feathered headdress. The ostrich feathers reflected popular fashions among the upper classes, but the Indigenous representation was neither geographically nor historically accurate. In the 19th century, however, such imagery helped Americans distinguish their national symbols from European models.
Despite the Mint’s advances, the tiny gold dollar posed production challenges. Its small size and high relief made it difficult to strike clearly and awkward to use. Enlarged in 1854 and later modified with lower relief, the denomination never became truly practical. The year 1889 marked its final issue.
💬 Can you think of other examples of American currency that stretched the Mint’s manufacturing limitations?
Follow along each week day as we spotlight one American coin, token, or note for every year of our nation’s independence.🪙 🇺🇸
Explore the collection so far:
https://www.money.org/money-museum/america250/
