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![Image for Braided Hair Half Cent 1/2c 1849-1857 MS RB [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/1855-obv.jpeg?MaxHeight=640&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
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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:
72303
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:
Business
Diameter:
23.5
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain
Variety:
1849-1857
Coin Date:
Braided Hair Half Cent
Denomination:
1/2c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Coinage Type:
Half Cent
Coinage Years:
1849-1857
Composition:
Copper
PCGS #:
1216
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Subject: I would like to contribute catalog info to CDN for Braided Hair Half Cent 1/2c 1849-1857 MS RB [Type]
Body: Referring page: http://dev.greysheet.com/prices/item/braided-hair-united-states-half-cent-red-brown-surfaces/gsid/72303 GSID: 72303 Title: Braided Hair Half Cent 1/2c 1849-1857 MS RB [Type]
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Coin Value History
Braided Hair Half Cent 1/2c 1849-1857 MS RB [Type]
Value By Grade
Braided Hair Half Cent 1/2c 1849-1857 MS RB [Type]
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
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Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS67 |
|
$10,500 | $1,234 |
| MS67 | - | $8,750 | $1,234 |
| MS66 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
Braided Hair Half Cent 1/2c 1849-1857 MS BN [Type]
![Braided Hair Half Cent 1/2c 1849-1857 MS BN [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ProductImages/DLRC/122xxx/c39d2531-7a3b-474d-91c6-53a37081572c.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $50 – $6,000
Braided Hair Half Cent 1/2c 1849-1857 MS RD [Type]
![Braided Hair Half Cent 1/2c 1849-1857 MS RD [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ProductImages/DLRC/878xxx/38878ffe-f8a2-4c30-a0f9-7baa68d9a90f.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $700 – $18,000
1849 1/2c MS BN
Worth: $50 – $6,000
1849 1/2c MS RB
Worth: $500 – $5,400
1849 1/2c MS RD
Worth: $3,000 – $3,600
1850 1/2c MS BN
Worth: $55 – $9,000
1850 1/2c MS RB
Worth: $2,000 – $7,200
1850 1/2c MS RD
Worth: $38,000 – $72,000
1851 1/2c MS BN
Worth: $50 – $1,140
1851 1/2c MS RB
Worth: $400 – $2,160
1851 1/2c MS RD
Worth: $650 – $24,000
1853 1/2c MS BN
Worth: $50 – $6,000
1853 1/2c MS RB
Worth: $220 – $4,200
1853 1/2c MS RD
Worth: $700 – $18,000
1854 1/2c MS BN
Worth: $50 – $6,000
1855 1/2 C C-1, B-1, R.1, MS65 Red and Brown NGC. NGC Census: 55 in 65, 6 finer (12/25). CDN: $1,250 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCG...
$2,562
1854 1/2 C C-1, B-1, R.1, MS66 Red and Brown NGC. ...
$5,368
1856 1/2 C C-1, B-2a, R.1, MS64 Red and Brown PCGS. CAC. PCGS Population: 32 in 64, 0 finer. CAC: 12 in 64, 1 finer (9/25)....
$1,560
1857 1/2 C C-1, B-1, R.2, MS63 Red and Brown PCGS. CAC. CAC: 11 in 63, 20 finer (10/25). CDN: $825 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS...
$1,110
1856 1/2 C C-1, B-2a, R.1, MS60 Red and Brown PCGS. Housed in a Generation 3.1 green label holder. PCGS Population: (0/6). ...
$600
1855 1/2 C C-1, B-1, R.1, MS62 Red and Brown ANACS. Mintage 56,500....
$456
1854 1/2c PCGS MS61 RB (OGH)
$330
1849 1/2 C Large Date -- 'GWC' Countermarks -- Fine 12 ANACS. This lot will also include a: 1864 1C With L -- 'T. O'Lear... (Total: 2 coins)
$65
1850 1/2 C AU55 PCGS. PCGS Population (0/7). NGC Census: (0/4). Mintage: 39,812. ...
$376
1853 1/2 C AU58 PCGS. PCGS Population (0/60). NGC Census: (0/30). Mintage: 129,694. (#1228)...
$230
1849 1/2 C Large Date--Corroded, Cleaned--ANACS. XF40 Details. NGC Census: (0/7). PCGS Population (0/11). Mintage: 39,864. ...
$75
1849 1/2 C Large Date AU50 Red and Brown--Corroded, Cleaned--ANACS, UNC Details....
$92
1854 1/2 C AU53 Red and Brown ANACS. ...
$121
1853 1/2 C VF30 Red and Brown ANACS. ...
$82
1857 1/2 C C-1, B-1, R.2, MS65 Red and Brown NGC. NGC Census: (15/2). PCGS Population: (1/0). MS65. Mintage 35,180. ...
$1,800
1854 1/2c PCGS MS66 RB
$5,757
1856 1/2 C C-1, B-2a, R.1, MS64 Red and Brown PCGS. PCGS Population: (5/1). Mintage 40,430....
$2,160
1857 1/2 C C-1, B-1, R.2, MS63 Red and Brown PCGS. Housed in a Generation 3.0 green label holder. PCGS Population: (100/57)...
$1,560
1855 1/2 C Red and Brown -- Spots Removed -- PCGS Genuine. Unc Details. NGC Census: (2/203). PCGS Population (1/267). Minta...
$382
1855 1/2 C C-1, B-1, R.1, MS62 Red and Brown ANACS. Mintage 56,500....
$384
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Wednesday, July 1, 2026
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Thursday, July 2, 2026
