1856 Braided Hair Coronet Head Cent - Proof Slanted 5

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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. At least 50 proofs of 1856 are known, perhaps 60, all from N-5, a die pair used only for proofs (NGC). The Mint kept no count of the proofs it struck before 1858. 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. Struck in copper, weighing 10.89 grams, 27.5 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Cataloged as PCGS #1997.