Coronet Head - Narrow/Large Indian Princess Head Gold Dollars
Although the gold dollar was originally planned as early as 1791, and patterns were prepared in 1836, it was not until 1849 that gold dollars were finally approved for minting. Earlier demand was filled by privately struck Georgia and Carolina gold of standard United States coinage weight, and the mint director personally opposed their issue.
When Congressional intervention was coupled with the new flow of gold from California, the mint had to give in and the first gold dollars, designed as one of James Longacre's early projects, were a mere12.7mm (half and inch) in diameter. These coins were easily lost, so the diameter was increased to 14.3mm and the coin made thinner in 1854 to make them easier to handle. The new narrow-head design was of too high relief and parts of the date on the reverse did not always strike up. The gold dollar's final modification came in 1856, when the wide "flan" (the blank metal disk before it's stamped to become a coin) was retained but a lower relief portrait of Liberty similar to that on the Trhee Dollar piece was used.
There are several known counterfeit gold dollars: 1849C Open Wreath and 1854C exist, made by altering genuine coins of other dates or mints. Cast counterfeits have been made of 1850-54. It is important to note that struck counterfiets exist of virtually every date in this series.