Half Cent 1842 Braided Hair (Proof only), Coin from United States - detailed information

Half Cent 1842 Braided Hair (Proof only), Coin from United States (withdrawn 1857)
CoinHalf Cent 1842 Braided Hair (Proof only)

The half cent is the smallest denomination of United States coin ever minted. It was first minted in 1793 and last minted in 1857. During its existence, it was minted with five different designs.

First authorised by the Coinage Act of 1792 on April 2, 1792, the half-cent piece was made of 100% copper and was valued at five milles, or one two-hundredth of a dollar. It was slightly smaller than a modern U.S. quarter with diameters 22 mm (1793), 23.5 mm (1794-1836) and 23 mm (1840-1857).

The first design, known as the Liberty Cap, was issued from 1793 until 1797. Production of the half cent was temporarily suspended in 1797, then resumed in 1800 with the Draped Bust obverse, which had already been in use on the silver coinage for several years. These half cents were only issued until 1808 though, after which time this "Classic Head" design was issued until 1838.

This final Braided Hair obverse design by Christian Gobrecht was introduced on the half cent in 1840 and struck until 1857. It is a re-design of the "Matron Haid" obverse which had been used on the one cent denomination since 1816. The reverse was updated too, with a wider rim and a different wreath around the value. As with all other half cent types, the coins were produced exclusively by the Philadelphia Mint.

The denomination was discontinued by the Coinage Act of February 21, 1857. While withdrawn from circulation and not used any more, the coins were never officially demonetised though.

Half Cents dated 1842 were struck in Proof grade only, with extremely small mintage. None were issued into circulation.

MintPhiladelphia Mint Mint MarkNo mint mark Mintageunknown
Obverse
United States / Half Cent 1842 Braided Hair (Proof only) - obverse photo

The obverse of the coin shows, within a beaded border, the head of Liberty, facing left, with long braided hair tied back in a bun.

She wears a coronet or diadem, on which the inscription LIBERTY is in relief.

All around, thirteen six-pointed stars represent the first thirteen states that formed the United States.

Below, the date of issue: 1842.

Obverse Inscription ************* 1842
Reverse
United States / Half Cent 1842 Braided Hair (Proof only) - reverse photo

On two lines at its centre, the coin displays its value and denomination: HALF CENT, surrounded by an olive/laurel wreath.

Around, the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Reverse Inscription HALF CENT UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
EdgePlainEdge InscriptionNone
Half Cent 1842 Braided Hair (Proof only): Known varieties
Variety First restrike, proof
Images United States / Half Cent 1842 Braided Hair (Proof only) / First restrike, proof - obverse photo United States / Half Cent 1842 Braided Hair (Proof only) / First restrike, proof - reverse photo
Mintage Issued: unknown
Details

Yeoman's "Guide Book of United States Coins" says that "most originals have large berries" (in the wreath on the reverse), while the restrikes have small berries. Krause states that the restrikes were "produced clandestinely by Philadelphia Mint personnel".

Variety Second restrike, proof
Mintage Issued: unknown
Details

Yeoman's "Guide Book of United States Coins" only lists one restrike. Krause lists two - "first" and "second", without elaborating on the difference between them.

All (44) coins of type: Half Cent
Coin NameMintageSymbolLegend
Half Cent 1793 Liberty Cap 35,334 Liberty, Portrait LIBERTY 1793
Half Cent 1794 Liberty Cap 81,600 Liberty, Portrait LIBERTY 1794
Half Cent 1795 Liberty Cap 139,690 Liberty, Portrait LIBERTY 1795
Half Cent 1796 Liberty Cap 6,480 Liberty, Portrait LIBERTY 1796
Half Cent 1797 Liberty Cap 127,840 Liberty, Portrait LIBERTY 1797
Half Cent 1800 Draped Bust 202,908 Liberty, Portrait LIBERTY 1800
Half Cent 1802 Draped Bust 20,266 Liberty, Portrait LIBERTY 1802
Half Cent 1803 Draped Bust 92,000 Liberty, Portrait LIBERTY 1803
Half Cent 1804 Draped Bust 1,055,312 Liberty, Portrait LIBERTY 1804
Half Cent 1805 Draped Bust 814,464 Liberty, Portrait LIBERTY 1805
Half Cent 1806 Draped Bust 356,000 Liberty, Portrait LIBERTY 1806
Half Cent 1807 Draped Bust 476,000 Liberty, Portrait LIBERTY 1807
Half Cent 1808 Draped Bust 400,000 Liberty, Portrait LIBERTY 1808
Half Cent 1809 Classic Head 1,154,572 Liberty, Portrait ******* 1809 ******
Half Cent 1810 Classic Head 215,000 Liberty, Portrait ******* 1810 ******
Half Cent 1811 Classic Head 63,140 Liberty, Portrait ******* 1811 ******
Half Cent 1825 Classic Head 63,000 Liberty, Portrait ******* 1825 ******
Half Cent 1826 Classic Head 234,000 Liberty, Portrait ******* 1826 ******
Half Cent 1828 Classic Head 606,000 Liberty, Portrait ******* 1828 ******
Half Cent 1829 Classic Head 487,000 Liberty, Portrait ******* 1829 ******
Half Cent 1831 Classic Head 2,200 Liberty, Portrait ******* 1831 ******
Half Cent 1832 Classic Head 51,000 Liberty, Portrait ******* 1832 ******
Half Cent 1833 Classic Head 103,000 Liberty, Portrait ******* 1833 ******
Half Cent 1834 Classic Head 141,000 Liberty, Portrait ******* 1834 ******
Half Cent 1835 Classic Head 398,000 Liberty, Portrait ******* 1835 ******
Half Cent 1836 Classic Head (Proof only) unknown Liberty, Portrait ******* 1836 ******
Half Cent 1840 Braided Hair (Proof only) unknown Liberty, Portrait ************* 1840
Half Cent 1841 Braided Hair (Proof only) unknown Liberty, Portrait ************* 1841
Half Cent 1842 Braided Hair (Proof only) unknown Liberty, Portrait ************* 1842
Half Cent 1843 Braided Hair (Proof only) unknown Liberty, Portrait ************* 1843
Half Cent 1844 Braided Hair (Proof only) unknown Liberty, Portrait ************* 1844
Half Cent 1845 Braided Hair (Proof only) unknown Liberty, Portrait ************* 1845
Half Cent 1846 Braided Hair (Proof only) unknown Liberty, Portrait ************* 1846
Half Cent 1847 Braided Hair (Proof only) unknown Liberty, Portrait ************* 1847
Half Cent 1848 Braided Hair (Proof only) unknown Liberty, Portrait ************* 1848
Half Cent 1849 Braided Hair 39,864 Liberty, Portrait ************* 1849
Half Cent 1850 Braided Hair 39,812 Liberty, Portrait ************* 1850
Half Cent 1851 Braided Hair 147,672 Liberty, Portrait ************* 1851
Half Cent 1852 Braided Hair (Proof only) unknown Liberty, Portrait ************* 1852
Half Cent 1853 Braided Hair 129,694 Liberty, Portrait ************* 1853
Half Cent 1854 Braided Hair 55,358 Liberty, Portrait ************* 1854
Half Cent 1855 Braided Hair 56,500 Liberty, Portrait ************* 1855
Half Cent 1856 Braided Hair 40,430 Liberty, Portrait ************* 1856
Half Cent 1857 Braided Hair 35,180 Liberty, Portrait ************* 1857
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Half Cent 1842 Braided Hair (Proof only): Details
CountryUnited States
CurrencyUS Dollar
Coin TypeHalf Cent, Braided Hair
Issued1842
SymbolLiberty, Portrait
Face Value1/2 (x Cent)
Mintageunknown
CurrentNo; withdrawn 1857
MaterialCopper
DesignerChristian Gobrecht
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationCoin Alignment (Axis 6)
Size23.0000 mm
Mass5.4400 g
OCC IDRNAZ-OGWC-YNNB-OXJL
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Half Cent 1842 Braided Hair (Proof only): Photos
ImageDetails
Half Cent 1842 Braided Hair (Proof only): Photo Braided Hair Half Cent 1842 - Restrike / thumbnail Braided Hair Half Cent 1842 - Restrike
Copyright: PCGS
Notes: Restrike.
Source
Half Cent 1842 Braided Hair (Proof only): Photo Braided Hair Half Cent 1842 - Restrike / thumbnail Braided Hair Half Cent 1842 - Restrike
Copyright: PCGS
Notes: Restrike.
Source
Half Cent 1842 Braided Hair (Proof only): Photo Braided Hair Half Cent 1842 - Original / thumbnail Braided Hair Half Cent 1842 - Original
Copyright: PCGS
Source
Half Cent 1842 Braided Hair (Proof only): Photo Braided Hair Half Cent 1842 - Original / thumbnail Braided Hair Half Cent 1842 - Original
Copyright: PCGS
Source
Half Cent 1842 Braided Hair (Proof only): Catalogue Reference IDs
SourceReference ID
Krause, Standard Catalog of World CoinsUnited States KM# 70