Braided Hair half cents begin with proof-only originals and restrikes, return to regular production in 1849, and end when Congress discontinued the denomination in 1857.

This guide covers Philadelphia issues dated 1840–1857, keeping original proofs, first and second restrikes, and later business strikes in their proper catalog contexts.

Core specifications

Issue period
1840–1857
Catalog mints
1
Reported catalog mintage
544,510
Composition
100% Copper
Diameter
23 mm
Weight
5.44 g

Proof-era records lead into the last circulating years

The Braided Hair design first appears through low-volume proof and restrike records rather than a continuous stream of small change.

Regular production returned late in the series, but the half cent had become commercially marginal. The 1857 coinage reform ended it as the cent itself moved to a smaller format.

Obverse, reverse, and the details that identify the type

Confirm the major design, date, and mint mark before studying smaller die differences.

The main portrait and date

Liberty faces left with braided hair and a coronet inscribed LIBERTY; stars surround the portrait and the date lies below.

Denomination, subject, and mint mark

A wreath encloses HALF CENT, surrounded by UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Where the cataloged coins were made

Totals are calculated from reported issue records in this catalog; unknown figures are not counted as zero.

  • P — Philadelphia: 1840, 1841, 1842, 1843, 1844, 1845, 1846, 1847, 1848, 1849, 1850, 1851, 1852, 1853, 1854, 1855, 1856, 1857; 544,510. Philadelphia issues commonly carry no P mint mark in classic series; confirm the expected blank area rather than searching for a letter.

Representative issues that explain the series

A later business strike is the practical type coin. Proof-only dates and restrike sequences should be treated as a separate advanced set.

  • 1840 P - Original - Proof Only — N/A. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1849 P - Original - Small Date - Proof Only — N/A. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1852 P - Original - Proof Only — N/A. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1855 P — 56,500. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1857 P — 35,180. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.

Issue catalog

1840 P Braided Hair Half Cent - Original - Proof Only1840 P Braided Hair Half Cent - First Restrike - Proof Only1840 P Braided Hair Half Cent - Second Restrike - Proof Only1841 P Braided Hair Half Cent - Original - Proof Only1841 P Braided Hair Half Cent - First Restrike - Proof Only1841 P Braided Hair Half Cent - Second Restrike - Proof Only1842 P Braided Hair Half Cent - Original - Proof Only1842 P Braided Hair Half Cent - First Restrike - Proof Only1842 P Braided Hair Half Cent - Second Restrike - Proof Only1843 P Braided Hair Half Cent - Original - Proof Only1843 P Braided Hair Half Cent - First Restrike - Proof Only1843 P Braided Hair Half Cent - Second Restrike - Proof Only1844 P Braided Hair Half Cent - Original - Proof Only1844 P Braided Hair Half Cent - First Restrike - Proof Only1844 P Braided Hair Half Cent - Second Restrike - Proof Only1845 P Braided Hair Half Cent - Original - Proof Only1845 P Braided Hair Half Cent - First Restrike - Proof Only1845 P Braided Hair Half Cent - Second Restrike - Proof Only1846 P Braided Hair Half Cent - Original - Proof Only1846 P Braided Hair Half Cent - First Restrike - Proof Only1846 P Braided Hair Half Cent - Second Restrike - Proof Only1847 P Braided Hair Half Cent - Original - Proof Only1847 P Braided Hair Half Cent - First Restrike - Proof Only1847 P Braided Hair Half Cent - Second Restrike - Proof Only1848 P Braided Hair Half Cent - Original - Proof Only1848 P Braided Hair Half Cent - First Restrike - Proof Only1848 P Braided Hair Half Cent - Second Restrike - Proof Only1849 P Braided Hair Half Cent - Original - Small Date - Proof Only1849 P Braided Hair Half Cent - First Restrike - Small Date - Proof Only1849 P Braided Hair Half Cent - Large Date1850 P Braided Hair Half Cent1851 P Braided Hair Half Cent1852 P Braided Hair Half Cent - Original - Proof Only1852 P Braided Hair Half Cent - First Restrike - Proof Only1852 P Braided Hair Half Cent - Second Restrike - Proof Only1853 P Braided Hair Half Cent1854 P Braided Hair Half Cent1855 P Braided Hair Half Cent1856 P Braided Hair Half Cent1857 P Braided Hair Half Cent

From one type coin to a complete catalog

  • One representative coin: Choose one problem-free, readable example and learn the size, edge, and major design.
  • Major-type set: Use one coin per major design to show changes in artwork, composition, or production.
  • Dates and mints: Work through the issue catalog by date and mint, defining special finishes separately.

A note on catalog records

This page uses 40 issue records, 0 modeled varieties, and currently reported mintages; unknown values remain unknown.

Sources

  1. Copper Half-Cent and One-Cent Coin Legislation — United States Mint
  2. Penny: Designs and History — United States Mint
  3. Braided Hair Half Cent category reference — PCGS CoinFacts