1 Dollar 'Small Indian Head' Type 2

The Type 2 dollar was James Longacre's attempt to fix a practical problem: the original Type 1 gold dollar was so small and thin that it disappeared into pockets and purses, generating constant public complaint. His solution — enlarging the diameter while keeping the same weight — produced a thinner planchet that turned out worse in practice. The recessed relief of the new design sat so deep in the dies that the mint could rarely achieve a fully struck example, and the series was abandoned after just three years.