$1 Liberty Head Gold Coin (ex-Jewelry)

$1 Liberty Head Gold Coin (ex-Jewelry)

During the prohibition on gold, many coins were converted into jewelry to prevent seizure. Buying ex-jewelry $1 Liberty Head Gold Coin lets you own historic pre‑1933 U.S. Mint gold at a reduced numismatic premium.

Struck in 90% gold and weighing 0.04837 troy ounces, the Type 1 Liberty Head gold dollar was issued for commerce from 1849 through 1854, a direct response to the California Gold Rush. Ex‑jewelry pieces typically show evidence of prior mounting or cleaning, making them a cost-effective way to acquire recognizable U.S. gold while you compare premiums across dealers for the best price.

Obverse design: A left‑facing portrait of Liberty wears a coronet inscribed LIBERTY, with the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA encircling the bust. Longacre’s fine hair detail and the tight, compact layout underscore the coin’s diminutive size and careful engraving.

Reverse design: A laurel wreath surrounds the denomination 1 DOLLAR and the date. Branch‑mint issues exist from Charlotte (C), Dahlonega (D), New Orleans (O), and San Francisco (S), with mintmarks appearing on the reverse. Some branch‑mint dates are notably scarcer, though ex‑jewelry surfaces generally reduce numismatic premiums.

Ex‑jewelry condition explained: These are genuine U.S. Mint coins that were once mounted in jewelry or otherwise altered for adornment. Expect evidence of prior use such as cleaning, polishing, solder or mount marks, rim filing, or an old hole. While the intended gold content is 0.04837 troy ounces (90% gold, 10% copper), pieces previously mounted can show minor weight variance due to past handling or repairs.

Highlights

• Gold content and fineness: 0.04837 troy oz actual gold weight; 90% gold, 10% copper
• Type 1 Liberty Head design (1849–1854); part of the broader gold dollar series (1849–1889)
• Obverse: Coroneted Liberty with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• Reverse: Laurel wreath around 1 DOLLAR and date; branch‑mint issues include C, D, O, and S
• Ex‑jewelry coins show evidence of prior mounting or cleaning and typically carry reduced collector premiums
• Recognized pre‑1933 U.S. gold with strong secondary market liquidity
• Ideal for buyers comparing dealer premiums to find the best delivered price

History and Context

The California Gold Rush of 1849 dramatically expanded the nation’s bullion supply, prompting Congress to authorize the gold dollar.

Created by Chief Engraver James B. Longacre, the design reflects the era’s classical style and the nation’s expanding gold supply. These gold dollars circulated widely in day‑to‑day transactions, offering a compact, high‑value coin that suited the economy of the time. Although the broader gold dollar series continued until 1889, the Liberty Head (Type 1) design was coined only from 1849 to 1854.

The Liberty Head $1 circulated for everyday payments during a period when gold coins formed a routine part of commerce. Although the Liberty Head type ended in 1854, the gold dollar series continued through the Civil War era with generally smaller mintages, especially at certain mints.

After gold’s recall in 1933, many surviving coins entered jewelry to preserve them, which is why ex‑jewelry pieces remain common today. These coins carry both their precious‑metal value and the tangible history of America’s gold standard era.

Compare live premiums and prices for the $1 Liberty Head Gold Coin (ex-Jewelry) across multiple reputable dealers to find the best offer for your goals.

FindBullionPrices.com tracks prices from some of the most trusted and reputable online bullion dealers to help find the lowest prices on $1 Liberty Head Gold Coin (ex-Jewelry).

The gold prices on our site for coins and bullion are updated hourly and adjusted with gold spot price. We give you the tools to compare prices of gold coins from well-reviewed bullion dealers.

Comparing prices for Pre 1933 US Gold across multiple bullion dealers help to ensure that you pay the lowest price.

Our Closest to Spot tool can help you find the lowest premium when you are ready to buy gold coins.

Shop more gold coins from United States.