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The Braided Hair design for the Half Cent denomination will be the last as 1857 would be it for Half Cents as a whole. Christian Gobrecht created this design. The proof examples are actually more vital to collecting than business strike coins in which they were struck each and every year from 1840 through 1857 except for 1853. These proof coins are known as originals and restrikes with the need of a loupe to tell the difference. Restrikes were set to be created around 1858 to 1861 by Mint Director Snowden, when collecting was getting more well known in the United States.
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.
Book Reference
Designer: Christian Gobrecht. Weight: 5.44 grams. Composition: Copper.Diameter: 23 mm. Edge: Plain. Mint: Philadelphia.
Key to Collecting: Today, most Braided Hair circulation-strike half cents on the market are of pleasing appearance. Grades range from VF upward. Full bright Mint State orange examples can be found for 1850, 1851, 1854, 1855, and 1857. The 1849 Large Date and the 1853 are usually seen toned, possibly due to the nature of the copper used in these years. Half cents of 1857 are usually red or brown. Many recolored pieces are on the market, and others have spots. Connoisseurship is needed to acquire choice examples, and it is worthwhile to pay a premium for such.
Aspects of Striking and Appearance: Most Braided Hair half cents are well struck, but there are numerous exceptions. Points to look for are sharp details on the denticles, star centers, hair, and leaves.
Proof Coins: For the issues of 1840 to 1848, 1849 Small Date, and 1852, only Proofs were made, without related examples for circulation. As these are basically rare as dates, they are expensive. All were restruck at the Mint. Today, such pieces form an interesting study in themselves. Proofs of 1854 to 1857 were made to the extent of up to a hundred or so of each date and can be found with some searching.
Catalog Information
GSID:
74204
Designer:
Christian Gobrecht
Obverse Designer:
Christian Gobrecht
Obverse Lettering:
LIBERTY, [Date]
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:
1840-1857
Coin Date:
Braided Hair Half Cent
Denomination:
1/2c
Designation:
PR
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Coinage Type:
Half Cent
Coinage Years:
1840-1857
Composition:
Copper
PCGS #:
1245
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Coin Value History
Braided Hair Half Cent 1/2c 1840-1857 PR BN [Type]
Value By Grade
Braided Hair Half Cent 1/2c 1840-1857 PR BN [Type]
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
Sort by
Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PR67 |
|
$20,000 | $1,234 |
| PR67 | - | $17,000 | $1,234 |
| PR66 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR66 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
Braided Hair Half Cent 1/2c 1840-1857 PR RB [Type]
![Braided Hair Half Cent 1/2c 1840-1857 PR RB [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/Ctc/Catalog/20200726/ha_com_1278_5039-0.20200726023905628.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $3,000 – $24,000
Braided Hair Half Cent 1/2c 1840-1857 PR RD [Type]
![Braided Hair Half Cent 1/2c 1840-1857 PR RD [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/1843-pr-half-cent-obv.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $6,800 – $60,000
1840 1/2c Original PR BN
Worth: $2,000 – $19,800
1840 1/2c Original PR RB
Worth: $4,400 – $24,000
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
1841 1/2 C Original, B-1, R.5, PR64 Brown PCGS. ...
$10,370
1847 1/2 C Reverse of 1840, Second Restrike, B-3, High R.5, PR66 Brown PCGS. CAC. ...
$11,590
1849 1/2 C Small Date, Original, B-1, R.6, PR62 Brown PCGS....
$8,400
1847 1/2 C Original, B-1, R.6, PR63 Brown NGC....
$6,600
1841 1/2 C Original, B-1, R.5, -- Damaged -- ANACS Details. PR40. 5.34 grams....
$1,680
1846 1/2 C Original, B-1, Low R.6, PR58 PCGS....
$4,800
1852 1/2 C Small Berries, Reverse of 1856, First Restrike, B-2, R.4, PR65+ Brown PCGS. CAC....
$7,800
1846 1/2 C Original PR25 NGC. B-1, Low R.6. NGC Census: (1/7). PCGS Population: (0/8). Mintage 18. From The Long Isla...
$4,080
1841 1/2 C Original, B-1, R.5, PR55 NGC. ...
$2,520
1841 1/2c PCGS Proof UNC Details (Original Devices Outlined)
$2,900
1849 1/2 C Small Date, Original PR45 NGC. B-1, R.6. ...
$3,840
$24,780
$3,680
$2,820
$2,415
$6,038
$2,760
Fractional Currency: Fr.1308 25-Cent Bust of Robert Walker. PCGS VF30 PPQ [80137618]
![Fractional Currency: Fr.1308 25-Cent Bust of Robert Walker. PCGS VF30 PPQ [80137618]](https://images.greysheet.com/Ctc/Catalog/20220308/www_davidlawrence_com_vi_cfm_i_249842-0.20220308093804695.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
$52
1840 1/2 C ORIGINAL, BN
$3,300
1852 1/2 C Small Berries, Reverse of 1856, First Restrike, B-2, R.4, PR64 Brown NGC. ...
$5,368
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Location: Heritage Auctions
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