The $1 Gold Indian Type 3 is a nineteenth-century United States gold coin produced by the United States Mint, carrying a face value of one dollar. Each piece contains 0.0483 troy ounces of gold at .900 fineness, making it one of the smallest gold coins ever struck by an American government mint. The coins offered here are raw, ungraded examples in cleaned or low-grade condition, sourced from circulation-era material and priced to reflect that status. We offer these as an accessible way to acquire a piece of genuine antique American gold without paying premiums associated with higher-grade examples.
History and Background
The United States Mint introduced the gold dollar in 1849 in response to the influx of California gold following the discovery at Sutter's Mill. The original Type 1 design proved difficult to handle due to its small diameter, prompting a redesign that widened the coin and introduced the Indian Princess motif. The Type 2 design, introduced in 1854, remained in production only briefly due to widespread complaints that the high-relief portrait struck poorly and was prone to weak details.
In 1856, Chief Engraver James Longacre revi…
Overview of $1 Gold Indian Type 3
The $1 Gold Indian Type 3 is a nineteenth-century United States gold coin produced by the United States Mint, carrying a face value of one dollar. Each piece contains 0.0483 troy ounces of gold at .900 fineness, making it one of the smallest gold coins ever struck by an American government mint. The coins offered here are raw, ungraded examples in cleaned or low-grade condition, sourced from circulation-era material and priced to reflect that status. We offer these as an accessible way to acquire a piece of genuine antique American gold without paying premiums associated with higher-grade examples.
History and Background
The United States Mint introduced the gold dollar in 1849 in response to the influx of California gold following the discovery at Sutter's Mill. The original Type 1 design proved difficult to handle due to its small diameter, prompting a redesign that widened the coin and introduced the Indian Princess motif. The Type 2 design, introduced in 1854, remained in production only briefly due to widespread complaints that the high-relief portrait struck poorly and was prone to weak details.
In 1856, Chief Engraver James Longacre revised the design, producing the Type 3 Indian Princess, which remained in continuous production through 1889. The revised portrait featured a larger, lower-relief head that struck more cleanly and consistently than its predecessor. Type 3 gold dollars represent the longest-running subtype of the series and were minted at Philadelphia, Dahlonega, Charlotte, New Orleans, and San Francisco, depending on the year.
Design and Aesthetics
The obverse of the Type 3 gold dollar features a left-facing portrait of a Native American princess wearing a feathered headdress, surrounded by thirteen stars and the date below. The inscription "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" appears on the reverse, encircling an ornate wreath that frames the denomination "1 DOLLAR." The overall composition is more refined than the Type 2, with crisper detail made possible by the lower relief profile Longacre adopted for the final version.
Given the small diameter of these coins, even high-grade examples can appear densely detailed at first glance. Cleaned or circulated examples will show varying degrees of wear across the high points of the portrait and wreath, and some may display evidence of past cleaning that reduces surface originality. That said, the basic design elements remain identifiable on even well-worn pieces, and the coin retains its historical character regardless of grade.
Fractional Size and Accessibility
At 0.0483 troy ounces, the Type 3 gold dollar is an extremely small coin, both in terms of weight and physical diameter. This size was a practical limitation in daily commerce during the mid-1800s, contributing to the coin's relatively short production lifespan in actual circulation despite being minted for over three decades. For modern buyers, this fractional gold content keeps the per-coin cost well below that of one-ounce or even quarter-ounce gold products.
The low entry price of cleaned or low-grade examples makes this coin one of the more accessible ways to hold antique United States gold. Buyers who want direct exposure to historic American coinage without committing to larger-denomination gold pieces often find the Type 3 gold dollar a practical starting point.
Authenticity and Product Integrity
Every $1 Gold Indian Type 3 we offer is verified for authenticity prior to sale. Although these coins carry no third-party grade encapsulation, we assess each piece against known design characteristics, weight standards, and metal composition before making them available. The .900 gold purity and 0.0483-ounce gold content are consistent across authentic examples regardless of date or mint mark, providing a reliable baseline for verification.
As authorized dealers for both PCGS and NGC, we maintain established relationships with the leading third-party grading services and are well-positioned to advise customers who wish to have individual pieces certified. Our sourcing draws on reputable numismatic wholesalers and the broader secondary market, and our team applies consistent authentication standards across all raw historic gold product offerings.
Condition and Packaging
These coins are listed as cleaned or low grade, which reflects the realistic condition of circulated nineteenth-century gold coins available on the secondary market. "Cleaned" refers to coins that show evidence of past mechanical or chemical cleaning, which may include hairlines, unnatural luster, or altered surfaces. "Low grade" refers to coins with significant circulation wear, typically grading in the Fine to Very Fine range or below, where design elements are present but softened. Neither condition affects the gold content of the coin.
Individual pieces ship in protective plastic flips to prevent additional surface contact during transit. Because these are raw coins offered in variable condition, each example will differ slightly in appearance, and no two pieces from this listing will be identical. Buyers should expect normal variation consistent with the cleaned and circulated condition designation and treat these as historical artifacts rather than presentation-grade coins.
Pricing and Market Factors
Pricing for the Type 3 gold dollar in cleaned or low-grade condition is driven primarily by the current spot price of gold, adjusted for the coin's small gold content of 0.0483 troy ounces. Because these coins carry no numismatic premium associated with grade or eye appeal, they tend to trade at or near their intrinsic gold value, occasionally with a modest premium reflecting their antique status and historical significance as genuine United States Mint issues.
Premiums on cleaned or low-grade examples remain narrow compared to problem-free circulated or uncirculated coins in the same series. Market demand for these lower-grade pieces comes from buyers focused on gold content rather than collectibility, which keeps pricing relatively straightforward and tied closely to metal value. Our pricing reflects real-time spot conditions and is updated to remain consistent with current wholesale market activity.
Selling and Liquidity
As genuine United States Mint gold coins with a fixed and verifiable gold content, Type 3 gold dollars are recognizable across the numismatic and bullion markets. Even cleaned or low-grade examples carry known and measurable intrinsic value based on their gold weight, which supports resale in a broad range of market environments. Buyers who understand the condition upfront face no surprises at the time of sale.
We operate a two-way market that allows customers to both purchase and sell precious metals within the same platform. Having a consistent buyback framework in place before a purchase is made gives buyers a clearer picture of the full cost of ownership, including the spread between acquisition and liquidation value. This approach to liquidity is built into how we operate rather than treated as an afterthought.
Why Buy the $1 Gold Indian Type 3?
The Type 3 Indian Princess gold dollar is a genuine antique United States coin with over 150 years of history behind it. Cleaned and low-grade examples offer a direct path to owning a piece of mid-to-late nineteenth-century American gold coinage at a price point that reflects metal value rather than collector premiums. For buyers who prioritize the historical authenticity of their gold holdings, this coin delivers that in a compact and affordable format.
The small gold content also makes it practical for incremental accumulation. Buyers who want to add antique American gold to a broader holding without concentrating purchase power in a single coin will find the Type 3 gold dollar a straightforward option. The coin's well-documented history, consistent specifications across the series, and widespread recognition in the secondary market all support its place in a varied precious metals holding.
Why Buy from Bullion Standard?
We built our business around the principle that buyers deserve complete information before making a purchase, not after. That means transparent pricing that reflects real-time market conditions, clear condition disclosures, and consistent authentication standards applied to every product we carry. When we list a coin as cleaned or low grade, that designation is applied with the same rigor we would use for any other product in our catalog.
Our credentials support that commitment. We hold an A rating with the Better Business Bureau, maintain active membership in both the American Numismatic Association and the National Coin and Bullion Association, and operate as an authorized dealer for PCGS and NGC. These relationships reflect the standards we hold ourselves to and give buyers a reliable framework for evaluating who they are purchasing from. Every transaction is backed by responsive customer support and a fulfillment process designed to deliver products securely and on time.
Get Near-Spot Pricing with Bullion Standard Pro
Bullion Standard Pro gives members access to live, executable wholesale bid and ask pricing across our catalog, including antique gold products like the Type 3 gold dollar. Because these coins trade close to their intrinsic gold value, understanding real-time wholesale pricing is particularly relevant. Pro members can evaluate the true spread between acquisition cost and current liquidation value, giving them a clearer picture of what they are actually paying relative to the broader wholesale market rather than relying on estimated retail comparisons.
Beyond pricing, Pro members have access to proprietary market intelligence tools, real-time portfolio valuation based on live wholesale bid pricing, and product research capabilities that allow objective comparisons across the catalog. For buyers building a position in historic American gold or evaluating cleaned and low-grade examples against higher-grade alternatives, these tools provide the data needed to make decisions based on measurable market conditions rather than assumptions.
Flexible and Secure Payment Options
We support a broad range of payment methods to make the buying process straightforward and secure. Customers can pay using Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover, as well as PayPal, bank-connected payments through Plaid, wire transfer, paper check, or cryptocurrency through BitPay. Each payment method is processed through a secure transaction environment designed to protect buyer information and ensure reliable order fulfillment. Whether you prefer traditional payment methods or digital alternatives, we have an option that fits how you prefer to transact.
$1 Gold Indian Type 3 (Random Year, Cleaned or Low Grade)
The $1 Gold Indian Type 3 is a nineteenth-century United States gold coin produced by the United States Mint, carrying a face value of one dollar. Each piece contains 0.0483 troy ounces of gold at .900 fineness, making it one of the smallest gold coins ever struck by an American government mint. The coins offered here are raw, ungraded examples in cleaned or low-grade condition, sourced from circulation-era material and priced to reflect that status. We offer these as an accessible way to acquire a piece of genuine antique American gold without paying premiums associated with higher-grade examples.
History and Background
The United States Mint introduced the gold dollar in 1849 in response to the influx of California gold following the discovery at Sutter's Mill. The original Type 1 design proved difficult to handle due to its small diameter, prompting a redesign that widened the coin and introduced the Indian Princess motif. The Type 2 design, introduced in 1854, remained in production only briefly due to widespread complaints that the high-relief portrait struck poorly and was prone to weak details.
In 1856, Chief Engraver James Longacre revi…
Overview of $1 Gold Indian Type 3
The $1 Gold Indian Type 3 is a nineteenth-century United States gold coin produced by the United States Mint, carrying a face value of one dollar. Each piece contains 0.0483 troy ounces of gold at .900 fineness, making it one of the smallest gold coins ever struck by an American government mint. The coins offered here are raw, ungraded examples in cleaned or low-grade condition, sourced from circulation-era material and priced to reflect that status. We offer these as an accessible way to acquire a piece of genuine antique American gold without paying premiums associated with higher-grade examples.
History and Background
The United States Mint introduced the gold dollar in 1849 in response to the influx of California gold following the discovery at Sutter's Mill. The original Type 1 design proved difficult to handle due to its small diameter, prompting a redesign that widened the coin and introduced the Indian Princess motif. The Type 2 design, introduced in 1854, remained in production only briefly due to widespread complaints that the high-relief portrait struck poorly and was prone to weak details.
In 1856, Chief Engraver James Longacre revised the design, producing the Type 3 Indian Princess, which remained in continuous production through 1889. The revised portrait featured a larger, lower-relief head that struck more cleanly and consistently than its predecessor. Type 3 gold dollars represent the longest-running subtype of the series and were minted at Philadelphia, Dahlonega, Charlotte, New Orleans, and San Francisco, depending on the year.
Design and Aesthetics
The obverse of the Type 3 gold dollar features a left-facing portrait of a Native American princess wearing a feathered headdress, surrounded by thirteen stars and the date below. The inscription "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" appears on the reverse, encircling an ornate wreath that frames the denomination "1 DOLLAR." The overall composition is more refined than the Type 2, with crisper detail made possible by the lower relief profile Longacre adopted for the final version.
Given the small diameter of these coins, even high-grade examples can appear densely detailed at first glance. Cleaned or circulated examples will show varying degrees of wear across the high points of the portrait and wreath, and some may display evidence of past cleaning that reduces surface originality. That said, the basic design elements remain identifiable on even well-worn pieces, and the coin retains its historical character regardless of grade.
Fractional Size and Accessibility
At 0.0483 troy ounces, the Type 3 gold dollar is an extremely small coin, both in terms of weight and physical diameter. This size was a practical limitation in daily commerce during the mid-1800s, contributing to the coin's relatively short production lifespan in actual circulation despite being minted for over three decades. For modern buyers, this fractional gold content keeps the per-coin cost well below that of one-ounce or even quarter-ounce gold products.
The low entry price of cleaned or low-grade examples makes this coin one of the more accessible ways to hold antique United States gold. Buyers who want direct exposure to historic American coinage without committing to larger-denomination gold pieces often find the Type 3 gold dollar a practical starting point.
Authenticity and Product Integrity
Every $1 Gold Indian Type 3 we offer is verified for authenticity prior to sale. Although these coins carry no third-party grade encapsulation, we assess each piece against known design characteristics, weight standards, and metal composition before making them available. The .900 gold purity and 0.0483-ounce gold content are consistent across authentic examples regardless of date or mint mark, providing a reliable baseline for verification.
As authorized dealers for both PCGS and NGC, we maintain established relationships with the leading third-party grading services and are well-positioned to advise customers who wish to have individual pieces certified. Our sourcing draws on reputable numismatic wholesalers and the broader secondary market, and our team applies consistent authentication standards across all raw historic gold product offerings.
Condition and Packaging
These coins are listed as cleaned or low grade, which reflects the realistic condition of circulated nineteenth-century gold coins available on the secondary market. "Cleaned" refers to coins that show evidence of past mechanical or chemical cleaning, which may include hairlines, unnatural luster, or altered surfaces. "Low grade" refers to coins with significant circulation wear, typically grading in the Fine to Very Fine range or below, where design elements are present but softened. Neither condition affects the gold content of the coin.
Individual pieces ship in protective plastic flips to prevent additional surface contact during transit. Because these are raw coins offered in variable condition, each example will differ slightly in appearance, and no two pieces from this listing will be identical. Buyers should expect normal variation consistent with the cleaned and circulated condition designation and treat these as historical artifacts rather than presentation-grade coins.
Pricing and Market Factors
Pricing for the Type 3 gold dollar in cleaned or low-grade condition is driven primarily by the current spot price of gold, adjusted for the coin's small gold content of 0.0483 troy ounces. Because these coins carry no numismatic premium associated with grade or eye appeal, they tend to trade at or near their intrinsic gold value, occasionally with a modest premium reflecting their antique status and historical significance as genuine United States Mint issues.
Premiums on cleaned or low-grade examples remain narrow compared to problem-free circulated or uncirculated coins in the same series. Market demand for these lower-grade pieces comes from buyers focused on gold content rather than collectibility, which keeps pricing relatively straightforward and tied closely to metal value. Our pricing reflects real-time spot conditions and is updated to remain consistent with current wholesale market activity.
Selling and Liquidity
As genuine United States Mint gold coins with a fixed and verifiable gold content, Type 3 gold dollars are recognizable across the numismatic and bullion markets. Even cleaned or low-grade examples carry known and measurable intrinsic value based on their gold weight, which supports resale in a broad range of market environments. Buyers who understand the condition upfront face no surprises at the time of sale.
We operate a two-way market that allows customers to both purchase and sell precious metals within the same platform. Having a consistent buyback framework in place before a purchase is made gives buyers a clearer picture of the full cost of ownership, including the spread between acquisition and liquidation value. This approach to liquidity is built into how we operate rather than treated as an afterthought.
Why Buy the $1 Gold Indian Type 3?
The Type 3 Indian Princess gold dollar is a genuine antique United States coin with over 150 years of history behind it. Cleaned and low-grade examples offer a direct path to owning a piece of mid-to-late nineteenth-century American gold coinage at a price point that reflects metal value rather than collector premiums. For buyers who prioritize the historical authenticity of their gold holdings, this coin delivers that in a compact and affordable format.
The small gold content also makes it practical for incremental accumulation. Buyers who want to add antique American gold to a broader holding without concentrating purchase power in a single coin will find the Type 3 gold dollar a straightforward option. The coin's well-documented history, consistent specifications across the series, and widespread recognition in the secondary market all support its place in a varied precious metals holding.
Why Buy from Bullion Standard?
We built our business around the principle that buyers deserve complete information before making a purchase, not after. That means transparent pricing that reflects real-time market conditions, clear condition disclosures, and consistent authentication standards applied to every product we carry. When we list a coin as cleaned or low grade, that designation is applied with the same rigor we would use for any other product in our catalog.
Our credentials support that commitment. We hold an A rating with the Better Business Bureau, maintain active membership in both the American Numismatic Association and the National Coin and Bullion Association, and operate as an authorized dealer for PCGS and NGC. These relationships reflect the standards we hold ourselves to and give buyers a reliable framework for evaluating who they are purchasing from. Every transaction is backed by responsive customer support and a fulfillment process designed to deliver products securely and on time.
Get Near-Spot Pricing with Bullion Standard Pro
Bullion Standard Pro gives members access to live, executable wholesale bid and ask pricing across our catalog, including antique gold products like the Type 3 gold dollar. Because these coins trade close to their intrinsic gold value, understanding real-time wholesale pricing is particularly relevant. Pro members can evaluate the true spread between acquisition cost and current liquidation value, giving them a clearer picture of what they are actually paying relative to the broader wholesale market rather than relying on estimated retail comparisons.
Beyond pricing, Pro members have access to proprietary market intelligence tools, real-time portfolio valuation based on live wholesale bid pricing, and product research capabilities that allow objective comparisons across the catalog. For buyers building a position in historic American gold or evaluating cleaned and low-grade examples against higher-grade alternatives, these tools provide the data needed to make decisions based on measurable market conditions rather than assumptions.
Flexible and Secure Payment Options
We support a broad range of payment methods to make the buying process straightforward and secure. Customers can pay using Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover, as well as PayPal, bank-connected payments through Plaid, wire transfer, paper check, or cryptocurrency through BitPay. Each payment method is processed through a secure transaction environment designed to protect buyer information and ensure reliable order fulfillment. Whether you prefer traditional payment methods or digital alternatives, we have an option that fits how you prefer to transact.
This website uses cookies for analytics and to deliver personalized content. By continuing to
use our site, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie
Policy.
Current Quantities Available
Unfortunately, we only have 0
of
this item in
stock.
Please call us at (833) 278-4653
or email us at support@bullionstandard.com
if you wish to purchase a larger quantity than what is available on our website.
We can often locate additional quantities.
(833) 278-4653
.png)
