Whitman Expo
On nine occasions in the 20th century, the Denver Mint produced fewer than one million coins in a certain year and denomination.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Go check them out!
The original version variety of the 1842 Proof Half Cent is of the Braided Hair design on the obverse and large round berries on the reverse. The original mintage in 1842 was just 15 coins which is about as low as it gets for this series. Overall, this is quite a rare coin worth anywhere between five thousand to over forty-five thousand dollars depending on the grade.
Obverse Description
Lady Liberty is portrayed with hair tied in a bun, facing left, in what is referred to as the so-called braided hair style. The word LIBERTY appearing on her headband. 13 stars appear continuously around the periphery with the date at the bottom.
Reverse Description
The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the periphery surround a wreath framing the words HALF CENT. The wreath is tied by a bow at the bottom.
Catalog Information
GSID:
594
Designer:
Christian Gobrecht
Obverse Designer:
Christian Gobrecht
Obverse Lettering:
LIBERTY, 1842
Reverse Designer:
Christian Gobrecht
Reverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, HALF, CENT
Weight (gr):
5.44 gr
Weight (oz):
0.1749 oz
Strike Type:
Proof
Diameter:
23.5
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain Edge
Variety:
Original
Coin Date:
1842
Denomination:
1/2c
Designation:
PR
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
20
Coinage Type:
Half Cent
Coinage Years:
1840-1857
Composition:
Copper
PCGS #:
1260
Send Catalog Feedback
Subject: I would like to contribute catalog info to CDN for 1842 1/2c Original PR BN
Body: Referring page: http://www.greysheet.com/prices/item/1842-brown-surfaces-proof-original-united-states-half-cent/gsid/594 GSID: 594 Title: 1842 1/2c Original PR BN
Subscribe to View
Log In
View more data, info, and visualizations. Get access to retail and wholesale pricing as well as auction data.
Coin Value History
1842 1/2c Original PR BN
Value By Grade
1842 1/2c Original PR BN
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
Sort by
Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PR66 |
|
$52,000 | $1,234 |
| PR66 | - | $43,000 | $1,234 |
| PR65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| PR60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
Braided Hair Half Cent 1/2c 1840-1857 PR BN [Type]
![Braided Hair Half Cent 1/2c 1840-1857 PR BN [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/1845.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $2,000 – $16,800
Braided Hair Half Cent 1/2c 1840-1857 PR RB [Type]
![Braided Hair Half Cent 1/2c 1840-1857 PR RB [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/Ctc/Catalog/20200726/ha_com_1278_5039-0.20200726023905628.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $3,000 – $24,000
Braided Hair Half Cent 1/2c 1840-1857 PR RD [Type]
![Braided Hair Half Cent 1/2c 1840-1857 PR RD [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/1843-pr-half-cent-obv.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $6,800 – $60,000
1840 1/2c Original PR BN
Worth: $2,000 – $19,800
1840 1/2c Original PR RB
Worth: $4,400 – $24,000
1840 1/2c Original PR RD
Worth: $7,600 – $43,200
1840 1/2c Restrike, Reverse of 1840 PR BN
Worth: $2,800 – $14,400
1840 1/2c Restrike, Reverse of 1840 PR RB
Worth: $10,000 – $24,000
1840 1/2c Restrike, Reverse of 1840 PR RD
Worth: $21,000 – $36,000
1840 1/2c Restrike, Reverse of 1856 PR BN
Worth: $3,200 – $15,000
1840 1/2c Restrike, Reverse of 1856 PR RB
Worth: $8,400 – $13,440
1840 1/2c Restrike, Reverse of 1856 PR RD
Worth: $14,000 – $26,400
1841 1/2c Original PR BN
Worth: $2,000 – $43,200
1841 1/2c Original PR RB
Worth: $6,400 – $54,000
1841 1/2c Original PR RD
Worth: $16,000 – $26,400
1842 1/2 C Original, B-1, R.6, PR64 Brown NGC. CAC....
$16,800
1842 Original, B-1, C-PO3, High R.6, PR66 Brown PCGS. Our EAC Grade PR62. CAC. ...
$39,600
$29,900
$3,680
1842 1/2 C Original PR60 Brown NGC. B-1, R.6. ...
$4,553
$2,415
$3,220
1842 1/2 C Original PR64 Brown PCGS. B-1, R.6. ...
$12,925
1842 1/2 C Original PR64 Brown PCGS. B-1, R.6. ...
$15,275
Greysheet News
Denver Mint Silver: Rarities of the 20th Century
10/9/2026
U.S. Mint Chooses Artist Corps
The United States Mint has selected 37 American artists to participate in its Artistic Infusion Program (AIP) to create and submit new designs for coins and medals.
10/8/2026
Stack's Bowers Galleries' Summer 2026 Global Showcase Auction Realizes Over $70 Million
Results Set Record for the Firm's Highest Grossing Auction Sale in its 90+ Year History.
10/7/2026
Events
Knoxville Coin and Currency Show - TN
Location: Rothchild Catering & Conference Center
Saturday, August 1, 2026
