1872 Proof Liberty Gold Dollar

Coin Details

Auction Record

$18,700 PR64 10-01-1997 David Akers

Description

The 1872 Proof Liberty Gold Dollar is a proof Gold Dollar struck at the Philadelphia Mint, part of the Large Indian Princess Head Gold Dollars 1856-1889 series. With a mintage of 30, this is an extremely rare issue — the scarcer of two mint variants, with 1% of total production. The obverse features a female figure wearing a feathered headdress, representing Liberty in the guise of a Native American princess with a larger, more detailed head design and the reverse displays a wreath enclosing the denomination 1 DOLLAR. Minted during Reconstruction and the Gilded Age, as the nation healed from civil war and debated the role of silver and gold in the monetary system. As a proof issue, this coin was struck multiple times on specially prepared polished planchets using polished dies, producing mirror-like fields and frosted design elements prized by collectors. Struck at the original U.S. Mint facility, in continuous operation since 1792. Estimated market value is approximately $14K. Struck in 90% gold, 10% copper, weighing 1.7 grams, 14.3 mm in diameter, with a reeded edge. Cataloged as PCGS #7622.