Gold Dollars
United States of America
. . . Coinage of the [U.S.] gold dollar was authorized by the Act of March 3, 1849. The weight was 25.8 grains, .900 fineness. The first type, struck until 1854, is known as the Liberty Head or small-sized type (Type 1). In 1854, the dollar coins were made larger in diameter and thinner. The design was changed to a feather headdress on a female, generally referred to as the Indian Princess Head or large-sized type (Type 2). In 1856, the type was changed slightly by enlarging the size of the head (Type 3). -- Red Book (2008)
