The Liberty Head Gold Dollar was only minted from 1849 - 1854 and has the distinction of being the first American gold dollar. Because it contained precisely $1 worth of gold when minted, it is also the smalles coin in U.S. history, measuring just slightly more than .5" in diameter. Today, these treasures are extremely rare. While many where melted down during the Great Depression, most were simply lost or turned into jewelry. The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was discovered by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill, in Coloma, California. This prompted the U.S. to mint its first $1 gold coin, a left-facing Liberty encircled by thirteen stars. This image would later serve as the inspiration for the Indian Head Cent. Minted in 900/1,000 pure gold, this coin ishighly valued for its gold content as well as its historical and numismatic significance. American Mint has been able to aquire a limited supply of these historic gold coins in "Very Fine" condition.