1857 Braided Hair Coronet Head Cent - Proof Small Date

Coin Details

Auction Record

$11,163 PR66 01-09-2013 Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1857 Braided Hair Coronet Head Cent - Proof Small Date is a proof cent struck at the Philadelphia Mint, part of the Braided Hair Coronet Head Cents 1839-1857 series. With a mintage of only 238, this is an extremely rare issue. 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 #2000. 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.