View All 1842 Braided Hair Coronet Head Cent Base

1842 Braided Hair Coronet Head Cent - Small Date

Strike Type
1842 (P) Cent coin

Coin Details

Year
1842
Denomination
Cent
Mint Mark
P
Strike Type
Regular Strike
Series
Braided Hair Coronet Head Cents 1839-1857
Designer
Christian Gobrecht
Mintage (whole issue)
2,383,390
Composition
Copper
Weight
10.89g
Diameter
27.5mm
Edge
Plain

Value Estimates

$30 - $1,522

Values as of May 2026, from published price guides and, in some cases, recorded auction sales. For most coins the range runs from a well-worn example (around G-4) to an uncirculated one, but individual coins can sell for more or less depending on grade, eye appeal and demand. Compare recent sales of similar coins for a closer estimate.

Auction Record

Price realized
$9,200
Sold
Grade
MS64
Auction house
Goldberg Auctioneers

Description

The 1842 Braided Hair Coronet Head Cent - Small Date was struck at the Philadelphia Mint as a cent in the Braided Hair Coronet Head Cents 1839-1857 series. In all, 2.4 million cents were struck in 1842, Small Date and Large Date together; how many show the Small Date is not recorded. 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. Cataloged as PCGS #1838.

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