1856 Braided Hair Coronet Head Cent - Proof Slanted 5

Coin Details

Auction Record

$7,475 PR66 03-06-2008 Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1856 Braided Hair Coronet Head Cent - Proof Slanted 5 is a proof cent struck at the Philadelphia Mint, part of the Braided Hair Coronet Head Cents 1839-1857 series. With a mintage of 100, this is an extremely rare issue — the higher-mintage of the two mint variants, representing 0% of production. 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. Struck during the California Gold Rush era, when vast quantities of western gold transformed the American economy and led to new denominations. As a proof issue, this coin was struck multiple times on specially prepared polished planchets using polished dies, producing mirror-like fields and frosted design elements prized by collectors. Struck at the original U.S. Mint facility, in continuous operation since 1792. Auction record: $7,475 PR66 03-06-2008 Heritage Auctions. Struck in copper, weighing 10.89 grams, 27.5 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Cataloged as PCGS #1997.