1849 Braided Hair Half Cent
Base
About This Coin
The 1849 Braided Hair Half Cent is a United States cent from the Braided Hair Half Cents 1840-1857 series — 10th of 18 years in the series. In 1849, coins were struck at the Philadelphia Mint with a combined mintage of 39,896. This ranks 13th of 18 years by total mintage, above 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. 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 5.44 grams, 23 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Across its variants, estimated values range from $81 to $7.1K depending on mint mark, grade, and strike type. A notable auction result reached $48K in PR65 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(4)
1849 Braided Hair Half Cent
1849 Proof Braided Hair Half Cent - Large Date
1849 Proof Braided Hair Half Cent - Small Date, Original
