What is the value of an 1879 US gold dollar?

The US made both silver and gold $1 coins in 1879. The gold dollar is about the size of a dime, and has a Native American princess on the front and a large number "1" on the back.

Numismedia lists the following retail values as of 12/2009:

Very worn condition - $125
Moderately worn - $160
Slightly worn - $215
Almost no wear - $320
Uncirculated - $510-3000 depending on how well-struck it is.


If your "gold" coin is large (38 mm) and has Miss Liberty on the front and an eagle on the back, it's one of the silver coins that someone plated with gold. In that case it's only worth its melt value, about $12 as of 12/2009.