1862 Gold Dollar - 1862 Gold $1 NGC MS64 CAC. This attractive, lustrous, Civil War dated 1862 Gold Dollar has bright mint luster and a strong strike. Full details are found on the ends of the feathers, the strands of Libertys hair, the word LIBERTY, the two central numerals of the date, and the ribbon knot. The dentils are strong on both sides as well. The grade of MS64 is confirmed by the CAC sticker, which indicates that the coin is a premium quality piece and fully deserves the assigned grade. The surfaces are original and clean showing only a few wispy lines and some clash marks that typical for the type.

The so called Indian Princess Head gold dollar 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 gold dollar, Type 3, was minted from 1856 to 1889.

The Type 2 gold dollar showed 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 the coin 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 (the present coin). 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.

In its population report, as of August 2012, CAC has confirmed 34 1862 gold dollars in MS64 condition with 36 better.