1853 Braided Hair Coronet Head Cent
Strike Type
Coin Details
Value Estimates
Values as of May 2026 — estimates reflect typical grades (G-4 through MS-67). Coins in lower or exceptional grades may fall outside this range.
Auction Record
$5,288 MS67 06-05-2013 Heritage Auctions
Description
The 1853 Braided Hair Coronet Head Cent is a cent produced at the Philadelphia Mint as part of the Braided Hair Coronet Head Cents 1839-1857 series. Total mintage reached 6.6 million. The obverse features Liberty facing left with braided hair swept up and held by a beaded cord, wearing a headband inscribed LIBERTY, while the reverse displays a wreath enclosing ONE CENT. Designed by Christian Gobrecht. Struck in copper, weighing 10.89 grams, 27.5 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Cataloged as PCGS #1901. The Braided Hair design was the final iteration of the large cent before the denomination was made smaller in 1857. The final large cent type. Proof-only dates exist from 1840-1857. The series saw declining production as the Mint prepared for the transition to small cents.
