1863 Gold Dollar - 1863 Gold $1 NGC MS64. This rare, low mintage, Civil War dated, near-Gem 1863 Gold Dollar comes with a penetrating strike and subdued mint luster. It is preserved in an old type NGC holder. Full details are present on the hair details, the word LIBERTY, the ribbon knot, and the two central numerals of the date. The dentils are full on both sides of the coin. The surfaces are original and clean for the grade with few visible abrasion marks. The color is a mixture of rose-gold and yellow-gold with the former being more prominent on the obverse.

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. 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.

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 began 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 dollar, the three-dollar gold piece, and the Liberty Head double eagle.

Struck during the Civil War, the 1863 gold dollar was scarce from the day it was released with only 6,200 coins struck. Because of the war, hard assets were hoarded and melted for bullion. The remaining survivors for this date are few. NGC and PCGS have certified only 76 coins in all grades combined. In its population report, NGC shows 8 1863 gold dollars in MS64 condition with 3 better. At PCGS there are 4 in MS64 with 7 better. These numbers do not account for crossovers or resubmissions.