1857 Braided Hair Half Cent
Strike Type
Coin Details
Value Estimates
Values as of May 2026 — estimates reflect typical grades (G-4 through MS-63). Coins in lower or exceptional grades may fall outside this range.
Auction Record
$2,530 MS65+ 01-03-2012 Heritage Auctions
Description
The 1857 Braided Hair Half Cent is a cent produced at the Philadelphia Mint as part of the Braided Hair Half Cents 1840-1857 series. With a mintage of 35,180, this is an extremely rare issue — the higher-mintage of the two mint variants, representing 99% 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. Final year of the large cent denomination. Rising copper prices and the impracticality of the large coin ended 64 years of large cent production. Struck at the original U.S. Mint facility, in continuous operation since 1792. Estimated market value ranges from $91 to $790 depending on grade and condition. Struck in copper, weighing 5.44 grams, 23 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Cataloged as PCGS #1239.
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