1841 Braided Hair Coronet Head Cent Base

About This Coin

The 1841 Braided Hair Coronet Head Cent Base is a United States cent from the Braided Hair Coronet Head Cents 1839-1857 series — an early issue, 3rd of 19 years in the series. In 1841, coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint with a combined mintage of 1.6 million. This ranks 3rd of 19 years by total mintage, below the series median of 5.2 million. 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. Minted during the age of Jacksonian democracy and the rise of the common man, as new branch mints opened in Charlotte, Dahlonega, and New Orleans. Struck in copper, weighing 10.89 grams, 27.5 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Struck two years after the 1839 key date, the lowest-mintage regular issue in the series. Across its variants, estimated values range from $38 to $1.6K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $19K in PR66 grade at Heritage Auctions. Designed by Christian Gobrecht.