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This coin is a very intriguing and desirable first year type issue for what is a unique and somewhat overlooked series. The original version variety of the 1840 Proof Half Cent is of the Braided Hair design on the obverse and large round berries on the reverse. The original mintage in 1840 was just 18 coins in total of which it is estimated that all have survived. Overall, this is quite a rare coin worth anywhere between five thousand to over forty 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:
582
Designer:
Christian Gobrecht
Obverse Designer:
Christian Gobrecht
Obverse Lettering:
LIBERTY, 1840
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:
1840
Denomination:
1/2c
Designation:
PR
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
15–20 known
Coinage Type:
Half Cent
Coinage Years:
1840-1857
Composition:
Copper
PCGS #:
1248
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Subject: I would like to contribute catalog info to CDN for 1840 1/2c Original PR BN
Body: Referring page: http://www.greysheet.com/prices/item/1840-brown-surfaces-proof-original-united-states-half-cent/gsid/582 GSID: 582 Title: 1840 1/2c Original PR BN
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Coin Value History
1840 1/2c Original PR BN
Value By Grade
1840 1/2c Original PR BN
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
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Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PR66 |
|
$24,000 | $1,234 |
| PR66 | - | $20,000 | $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 |
| XF45 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 | - | $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 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
1841 1/2c Restrike, Reverse of 1840 PR BN
Worth: $4,200 – $11,400
1840 1/2 C Original, B-1, R.5, PR63 Brown PCGS....
$9,900
1840 Original, B-1a, C-PO1, Low R.6, PR65 Brown PCGS. Our EAC Grade PR60. CAC. ...
$22,800
1840 Braided Hair Half Cent. Original. B-1a. Rarity-6. Large Berries. Proof. Unc Details--Altered Surfaces (PCGS).
$4,080
1840 1/2 C Original PR62 Brown PCGS. B-1, R.5. ...
$7,200
$33,350
$5,980
$3,220
1836 1/2 C PR64 Red and Brown PCGS. B-1, Low R.6. A razor-...
$13,225
1840 1/2 C ORIGINAL, BN
$3,105
1840 1/2 C ORIGINAL, BN
$3,300
1840 1/2 C Original PR63+ Brown NGC. B-1, R.5. ...
$10,200
$5,520
1840 1/2 C Original PR62 Brown PCGS. B-1a, R.6. The Original 1840 and 1841 half cents can be considered reeded edge half ce...
$7,475
1840 1/2 C ORIGINAL, BN
$4,180
1840 1/2c NGC Proof 63 BN (Original)
$8,755
1840 1/2 C ORIGINAL, BN
$5,865
1840 1/2 C ORIGINAL, BN
$2,645
1840 1/2 C ORIGINAL, BN
$4,785
1840 1/2 C Original. PO-1, B-1, R.6. PR63 Brown NGC. PR60 EAC. Small date; Large berries. As an Original of the 1840 issue,...
$16,100
Greysheet News
Property from an Alabama Family, a World-Class Cabinet of Patterns, and Other Important Collections Anchor Stack's Bowers Galleries' November 2026 Rarities Night Auction
11/12/2026
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11/11/2026
1796 Coin in Post-ANA Auction Rarities Session
On September 1, Stack's Bowers conducted a Rarities Night session in California as part of this firm's post-ANA World's Fair of Money® auction extravaganza.
11/9/2026
Events
Heritage Auctions: US Currency Tuesday Select Auction
Location: Heritage Auctions
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Heritage Auctions: World Paper Money Tuesday Select Auction
Location: Heritage Auctions
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Heritage Auctions: World & Ancient Coins ANA Signature Auction & Platinum Session
Location: Heritage Auctions
Tuesday, September 1, 2026