Year | Mint | Variety | Designation | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | U-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 | MS-67 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1800 | P | Plain 4- Stemless Wreath | Red-brown | 200 | 300 | 400 | 500 | 600 | 700 | 800 | 900 | 1000 | 1200 | 1100 |
| Year | Mint | Variety | Designation | VG-8 | F-12 | VF-20 | EF-40 | AU-50 | MS-60 | MS-63 | MS-64 | MS-65 | MS-66 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1849 | (None) Phil | -- | BN | $84 | $99 | $137 | $197 | $284 | $606 | $981 | $1,590 | $6,538 | $10,250 |
| 1849 | (None) Phil | -- | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 1850 | (None) Phil | -- | BN | $245 | $293 | $360 | $709 | $743 | $1,453 | $2,820 | $5,065 | $10,600 | -- |
| 1850 | (None) Phil | -- | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,250 | $4,420 | $8,050 | -- | -- |
| 1850 | (None) Phil | -- | RD | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $53,400 | $66,000 | -- |
| 1851 | (None) Phil | -- | BN | $79 | $89 | $98 | $145 | $187 | $322 | $482 | $587 | $1,698 | $8,500 |
| 1851 | (None) Phil | -- | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $840 | $1,670 | $5,240 | -- |
| 1851 | (None) Phil | -- | RD | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $1,973 | $4,015 | $27,250 | -- |
| 1853 | (None) Phil | -- | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $242 | $773 | $980 | $2,563 | $6,175 |
| 1853 | (None) Phil | -- | BN | $79 | $89 | $98 | $145 | $187 | $322 | $457 | $574 | $955 | $2,533 |
| 1854 | (None) Phil | -- | RD | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $1,703 | $3,130 | $6,848 | $14,300 |
| 1854 | (None) Phil | -- | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $773 | $1,205 | $2,263 | $6,175 |
| 1854 | (None) Phil | -- | BN | $79 | $89 | $98 | $145 | $187 | $322 | $457 | $599 | $980 | $2,283 |
| 1855 | (None) Phil | -- | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $434 | $773 | $918 | $1,813 | $6,725 |
| 1855 | (None) Phil | -- | BN | $79 | $89 | $98 | $145 | $187 | $322 | $468 | $574 | $955 | $2,505 |
| 1855 | (None) Phil | -- | RD | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $650 | $1,140 | $1,630 | $5,098 | $16,150 |
| 1856 | (None) Phil | -- | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $625 | $773 | $1,843 | $5,725 | -- |
| 1856 | (None) Phil | -- | RD | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $1,000 | $2,000 | $4,150 | $30,500 | $70,000 |
| 1856 | (None) Phil | -- | BN | $79 | $89 | $98 | $145 | $187 | $322 | $557 | $662 | $1,475 | -- |
| 1857 | (None) Phil | Original | RD | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $2,445 | $5,200 | $19,500 | $35,000 |
| 1857 | (None) Phil | Original | RB | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | $547 | $992 | $1,640 | $3,305 | $10,500 |
| 1857 | (None) Phil | Original | BN | $84 | $95 | $112 | $195 | $253 | $415 | $625 | $949 | $1,965 | $5,750 |
Overview
The Braided Hair Half Cent, minted from 1840 to
1857, was the final U.S. Half Cent
series design before the denomination was discontinued. Designed by Christian
Gobrecht, the obverse features a left-facing Liberty with braided hair,
wearing a coronet inscribed with “LIBERTY,” while the reverse
displays a wreath encircling “HALF CENT” with “UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA” around the rim. Collectors prize Braided Hair Half
Cents for their refined design, low mintages, and final-year
significance, making them an essential part of early U.S. coinage.
The Braided Hair Half Cent was introduced in 1840,
replacing the Classic Head Half Cent as part of the U.S. Mint’s effort
to modernize coinage. Designed by Christian Gobrecht, this version
featured a more detailed and elegant Liberty portrait, aligning
stylistically with the Braided Hair Large Cent.
The production of the Braided Hair Half Cent was sporadic,
with regular issues struck only from 1849 to 1857. Before that, from 1840
to 1848, the Mint only produced proof issues for collectors.
By 1857, the half cent denomination had been discontinued,
as inflation and economic changes made it impractical for everyday
transactions.
Collectors seek Braided Hair Half Cents for their refined
design, limited circulation issues, and key date rarities. Many coins from
this series were stored rather than widely circulated, making high-grade
specimens more available than earlier half cents.
Additionally, collectors look for original, problem-free
examples with full luster and strong strike details, as some half cents
from this era exhibit minor planchet flaws.
The 1840-1848 Proof Braided Hair Half Cents are among
the series’ rarest and most valuable coins, as they were only struck in
minimal numbers for collectors. Additionally, the 1852 low-mintage issue
and the 1857 final-year issue are highly sought after.
The Braided Hair Half Cent remains a strong
investment choice, particularly for proof-only years, low-mintage
issues, and high-grade specimens. Due to their scarcity and historical
significance, coins such as 1840-1848 proofs, 1852 circulation issues, and 1857
final-year strikes continue to appreciate in value.
Collectors and investors often seek the following key
dates and varieties:
The Braided Hair Half Cent, designed by Christian
Gobrecht, features:
Key design modifications include:
The Braided Hair Half Cent is a historically
significant and highly collectible U.S. coin. It offers collectors a mix of
scarce proof issues, low-mintage key dates, and a beautifully refined design.
Whether for historical appreciation, investment, or set building, this
series remains a cornerstone of early American numismatics.
Understanding its rarities, design variations, and market trends helps
collectors make informed decisions when acquiring Braided Hair Half Cents.
