1840 Braided Hair Half Cent
Base
About This Coin
The 1840 Braided Hair Half Cent is a United States cent from the Braided Hair Half Cents 1840-1857 series — the first year of the series. In 1840, coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint with a combined mintage of 38. This represents the second-lowest annual mintage in the series, below the series median of 56. The obverse features Liberty facing left with braided hair swept up and held by a beaded cord, wearing a headband inscribed LIBERTY and the reverse displays a wreath enclosing ONE CENT. Large Date and Small Date varieties exist. The Petite Head subtype appeared. Struck in copper, weighing 5.44 grams, 23 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Estimated market value across variants is approximately $7.3K. A notable auction result reached $33K in PR66 grade at Goldberg Auctioneers. Designed by Christian Gobrecht.
Value Estimates
Values as of May 2026 — range across all strike types, reflecting typical grades (G-4 through MS-63). Coins in lower or exceptional grades may fall outside this range.
Specifications
Strike Types & Varieties(2)
1840 Proof Braided Hair Half Cent - Original
1840 Proof Braided Hair Half Cent - Restrike
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