. The 1875 gold dollar is a classic rarity in both proof and business strike formats. Only 400 were made for circulation, along with 20 proofs. This low mintage makes the 1875 gold dollar one of the most desirable coins in the entire series. Paul Taglione, in his Reference to United States Federal Gold Coinage, wrote that the '1875 (proof) is extremely rare with but 9 or 10 distinct examples known including those in the Smithsonian and ANS collections.' Walter Breen, in his Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coinage, suggested that 'Possibly 15 survive.'