10% off Subscriptions

1831 1/2c Original PR BN

Greysheet & CPG® Values
Thank you to our sponsors!
Go check them out!

The 1831 half cent is somewhat controversial as a business strike. While mint reports of the time recorded a mintage of 2,200 coins, only a handful are known today and many experts believe that they are all proof strikes. NGC and PCGS have concluded that all coins are Proof format. However, other experts including Christopher McCawley believe that enough coins were released into circulation and now exist without distinctive proof surfaces to merit the fact that some were struck as business strikes. Regardless, the CDN considers the values to be the same for MS and PR designated coins. -- The Reverse 1840, Small Berries variety of the 1831 Proof Half Cent is known as the second restrike type struck. As compared to the Reverse 1836, Large Berries variety there are a few minor diagnostic differences on the reverse. The berries that appear on the reverse wreath are very tiny in which that specific reverse design remained in use from 1840 through 1857. These restrikes were minted a few decades later from 1858 to 1861, for sale to collectors, just before the start of the Civil War. This Half Cent Issue comes from an original mintage of just 12 coins with only a single digit quantity known to exist today, making it very rare and valuable as well as desirable to high-end collectors.

Obverse Description

Lady Liberty is portrayed with a capped bonnet, facing left, in what is referred to as the so-called classic head style. The word LIBERTY appearing on her headband. 13 stars appear left and right in a 7x6 formation.

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: 543
Designer: John Reich
Obverse Designer: John Reich
Obverse Lettering: LIBERTY, 1831
Reverse Designer: John Reich
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: 1831
Denomination: 1/2c
Designation: PR
Mint Location: Philadelphia
Mintage: 2,200
Coinage Type: Half Cent
Coinage Years: 1809-1836
Composition: Copper
PCGS #: 1186
Subscribe to View

View more data, info, and visualizations. Get access to retail and wholesale pricing as well as auction data.

Coin Value History
1831 1/2c Original PR BN
Value By Grade
1831 1/2c Original PR BN
CPG (retail) values
Value by grade is available to subscribers. Subscribe to View

Values

Greysheet & CPG® Values
GSID:543 PCGS:1186 Shop related

Values

Greysheet & CPG® Values
Grade CAC CPG Value (Retail) Greysheet Price (Wholesale)
PR66 CAC $180,000 $1,234
PR66 - $150,000 $1,234
PR65 CAC $1,234 $1,234
PR65 - $1,234 $1,234
PR64 CAC $1,234 $1,234
PR64 - $1,234 $1,234
PR63 CAC $1,234 $1,234
PR63 - $1,234 $1,234
PR62 CAC $1,234 $1,234
PR62 - $1,234 $1,234
PR61 CAC $1,234 $1,234
PR61 - $1,234 $1,234
PR60 CAC $1,234 $1,234
PR60 - $1,234 $1,234
AU58 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AU58 - $1,234 $1,234
AU55 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AU55 - $1,234 $1,234
AU53 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AU53 - $1,234 $1,234
AU50 CAC $1,234 $1,234
AU50 - $1,234 $1,234
XF45 CAC $1,234 $1,234
XF45 - $1,234 $1,234

Auction Prices

Recent public sale records for this item
See all

Related Items

Other items from this series
See all

From the Greysheet Marketplace

Live listings from Greysheet dealers
See all

Shop Whitman.com

Books & supplies from Whitman
See all
$22.95
The Official Red Book®: A Guide Book of United States Coins 2027
Whitman
The Official Red Book®: A Guide Book of United States Coins 2027
$9.95
Official Red Book® Collector's Field Journal
Whitman
Official Red Book® Collector's Field Journal
$15.95
Official Red Book Universal Coin Slab Storage Box
Whitman
Official Red Book Universal Coin Slab Storage Box
$4.95
Whitman Coin Folder: Lincoln Cents
Whitman

Greysheet News

Prominent Collector Dell Loy Hansen Submitting His Historical Collection Of U.S. Coins To CAC Grading
Prominent Collector Dell Loy Hansen Submitting His Historical Collection Of U.S. Coins To CAC Grading

The unprecedented crossover underscores his personal efforts to combat “grade inflation.”

American Numismatic Association's Largest Coin Show, August 6-10 In Chicago
American Numismatic Association's Largest Coin Show, August 6-10 In Chicago

Dazzling rarities, free educational opportunities, family fun and more await at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center

United States Mint Unveils Designs For The 2025 United States Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program
United States Mint Unveils Designs For The 2025 United States Marine Corps 250th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Program

The designs will be featured on a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a half dollar clad coin.

Events

DLRC Weekly Auctions
DLRC Weekly Auctions Location: DAVID LAWRENCE RARE COINS
Sunday, May 3, 2026
GreatCollections Coin, Currency, World Money, and World Coins Auctions
GreatCollections Coin, Currency, World Money, and World Coins Auctions Location: https://www.greatcollections.com/Auction-Archive
Sunday, May 3, 2026
GreatCollections Coin, Currency, World Money, and World Coins Auctions
GreatCollections Coin, Currency, World Money, and World Coins Auctions Location: https://www.greatcollections.com/Auction-Archive
Sunday, May 10, 2026