U.S. COIN REFERENCE · Braided Hair half cent
Braided Hair half cents: a date set with proof-only years
The first circulation strikes appear well after the design’s first dated proofs.
By SalarsNet · Reviewed October 5, 2026
Why 1840 and 1849 are different questions
The 1840–1848 dates are proof-only; circulation strikes begin in 1849. The 1852 is also a proof-only date. This means a continuous year range is a design span, not a grid of ordinary coins. A putative circulated 1842 needs an original-versus-restrike and strike assessment before an ordinary half-cent price comparison.
Type references: PCGS Braided Hair Half Cent ↗
Berries identify more than decoration
Specialists distinguish original and later proof varieties partly through the reverse berries and die characteristics. Large berries and small berries are useful entry points, but the complete reverse match matters. Record the wreath and every berry sharply, with a view of the rim, rather than trying to infer a restrike from reflectivity alone.
Type references: PCGS Braided Hair Half Cent ↗
Brown copper can still be a strong type coin
Examine hair braiding, the coronet, cheek, and wreath leaves for wear, then record surface texture. Original red color is a separate scarcity question from the date. Color treatment, spots, or corrosion can make an attractive photograph a poor match for a certified red example. Select comparisons that share strike, attribution, and surface character.
Type references: PCGS Braided Hair Half Cent ↗
Selected reviewed issue records
These catalog standards describe the named issue, not a measured specimen. The selected records below do not cover every date, mint, strike, or die variety. Reported production is labeled separately from established mintage. Unknown standards and mintage remain visible; survival estimates and certified populations are separate research questions.
No issue-level specification or mintage records are published for this category yet. Verify the exact date, mint, strike, metal, and subtype in its reference before using a numerical standard.
References and review
Reference reviewed October 5, 2026. Historical facts and catalog standards need to match the exact issue; price comparisons should be researched at the time of valuation.