1855 Gold $1 (1855 Gold Dollar) NGC MS65. Softly frosted mint luster shimmers across the excellent surfaces of this mint state 1855 Gold Dollar. The strike, which is sharp on the obverse and above average on the reverse, shows fully detailed hair, ends of feathers, and vertical division on the ribbon knot. The dentils are also full on both sides of the coin. Not a trace of wear is seen, as expected for a gem dollar, which could have graded a point higher.

The 1855 Gold Dollar is known as the Indian Princess, Small Head. It was designed by James Longacre and minted from 1854 to 1889. The first, which is actually Type 2 because there was a prior Liberty Head Gold Dollar, was issued until 1856. The second Indian Princess Type 3, was minted from 1856 to 1889.

The Type 2 Gold Dollar shows a head of Liberty facing left wearing a stylized feathered headdress. It is inscribed LIBERTY on the headband. She is surrounded by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The reverse shows an open wreath of corn, cotton, maple, and tobacco tied below with a bow. The wreath encircles the denomination, 1 DOLLAR, and the date. The problem with this Gold Dollar was that it did not strike up well. In fact mint state examples looked worn and, in some cases, so circulated that the date could not be read on the coin. This problem most affected the branch mint issues, which Longacre did not get to see until afterwards. The proofs that he saw did not have this as a problem. To remedy this situation, Longacre designed the Type 3 Gold Dollar. While the design was similar to the previous issue, Longacre lowered the relief and moved the obverse head so as not to be opposite a reverse relief area. This coin is called the Large Size or Large Head.
James Barton Longacre was born in Pennsylvania in 1794. When he finished his apprenticeship in Philadelphia as a bookseller and a banknote engraver, he worked on his own as an engraver of book illustrations and bank notes. His works included one on the signers of the Declaration of Independence and another on stage personalities. In 1830, Longacre planned to do a series of biographies of famous men in the military and the political arena. In 1834 the result of this series became the National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans that was published in four volumes. Longacre and those who worked with him became famous because of this work. In 1844 Longacre came to work at the Mint. He was opposed by Franklin Peale, the Chief Coiner. Peale was probably responsible for some blundered dies that Longacre was criticized for making. Peal was involved in a private, illegal medal manufacturing business using Mint facilities. He was concerned that this new political appointee would interfere with his business, and he resisted Longacres appointment as Chief Engraver. Finally in 1854, Peale was fired by President Franklin Pearce. Longacre flourished in his position and was responsible for creating many new designs including the Indian Head cent, the Two-cent piece, the Shield nickel, the Liberty Head gold dollar, the Indian Princess gold dollars, the Three-dollar gold piece, and, the Liberty Head double eagle.

The Small Head Gold Dollar had a mintage that ranged from a high of 783,943 in 1854 to a low of 1,811 for 1855-D. The Large Head Gold Dollar had as its highest mintage 1,762,936 in 1856 and a low of 400 in 1875. Always in demand by type collectors, the 1855 dollar is a condition rarity in MS65. In its population report, NGC shows 32 in MS65 with 17 better.