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This coin is a very intriguing and desirable first year type issue for what is a unique and somewhat overlooked series. The original version variety of the 1840 Proof Half Cent is of the Braided Hair design on the obverse and large round berries on the reverse. The original mintage in 1840 was just 18 coins in total of which it is estimated that all have survived. Overall, this is quite a rare coin worth anywhere between five thousand to over forty thousand dollars depending on the grade.
Obverse Description
Lady Liberty is portrayed with hair tied in a bun, facing left, in what is referred to as the so-called braided hair style. The word LIBERTY appearing on her headband. 13 stars appear continuously around the periphery with the date at the bottom.
Reverse Description
The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the periphery surround a wreath framing the words HALF CENT. The wreath is tied by a bow at the bottom.
Catalog Information
GSID:
583
Designer:
Christian Gobrecht
Obverse Designer:
Christian Gobrecht
Obverse Lettering:
LIBERTY, 1840
Reverse Designer:
Christian Gobrecht
Reverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, HALF, CENT
Weight (gr):
5.44 gr
Weight (oz):
0.1749 oz
Strike Type:
Proof
Diameter:
23.5
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain Edge
Variety:
Original
Coin Date:
1840
Denomination:
1/2c
Designation:
PR
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
15–20 known
Coinage Type:
Half Cent
Coinage Years:
1840-1857
Composition:
Copper
PCGS #:
1249
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Coin Value History
1840 1/2c Original PR RB
Value By Grade
1840 1/2c Original PR RB
CPG (retail) values
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Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
1840 1/2 C Original, B-1, R.5, PR63 Red and Brown PCGS....
$7,800
1840 1/2 C Original PR64 Red and Brown NGC. B-1, R.5. ...
$8,700
1840 1/2 C Original PR61 Red and Brown PCGS. B-1, R.5. ...
$4,080
1840 Original PR65 Red and Brown NGC. CAC. B-1. ...
$15,600
1840 1/2 C Original PR63 Red and Brown PCGS. B-1a, R.6. ...
$4,830
1840 1/2 C Original PR61 Red and Brown PCGS. B-1, R.5. Large berries in the reverse wreath identify the Original die pair. ...
$6,000
Braided Hair Half Cent 1/2c 1840-1857 PR BN [Type]
Worth: $2,000 – $16,800
Braided Hair Half Cent 1/2c 1840-1857 PR RB [Type]
Worth: $3,000 – $24,000
Braided Hair Half Cent 1/2c 1840-1857 PR RD [Type]
Worth: $6,800 – $60,000
1840 1/2c Original PR BN
Worth: $2,000 – $19,800
1840 1/2c Original PR RD
Worth: $7,600 – $43,200
1840 1/2c Restrike, Reverse of 1840 PR BN
Worth: $2,800 – $14,400
1840 1/2c Restrike, Reverse of 1840 PR RB
Worth: $10,000 – $24,000
1840 1/2c Restrike, Reverse of 1840 PR RD
Worth: $21,000 – $36,000
1840 1/2c Restrike, Reverse of 1856 PR BN
Worth: $3,200 – $15,000
1840 1/2c Restrike, Reverse of 1856 PR RB
Worth: $8,400 – $13,440
1840 1/2c Restrike, Reverse of 1856 PR RD
Worth: $14,000 – $26,400
1841 1/2c Original PR BN
Worth: $2,000 – $43,200
1841 1/2c Original PR RB
Worth: $6,400 – $54,000
1841 1/2c Original PR RD
Worth: $16,000 – $26,400
1841 1/2c Restrike, Reverse of 1840 PR BN
Worth: $4,200 – $11,400
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