The Braided Hair cent, by Christian Gobrecht, was the final large cent type, matching the Braided Hair half cent. Liberty has a compact head with tightly braided hair and a coronet reading LIBERTY within thirteen stars; the reverse keeps the continuous wreath around ONE CENT. Early coins (late 1839–early 1843) show the head tilted forward; from 1843 on it sits upright.
Key facts
- Designed by: Christian Gobrecht
- Issue dates: 1839–1857
- Composition: Pure copper
- Diameter: 27.5 mm
- Weight: 10.88 grams (168 grains)
- Edge: Plain
- Mintage: 70,916,803
There are no rare dates from 1839–1856, and the type is readily available through AU; coins from 1850–1856 (especially 1855) are often found with original mint red. The 1857 is the key, with a sharply reduced mintage of just 333,456 as the large cent gave way to the small Flying Eagle cent — the 1857 Small Date is notably scarcer. Collectible varieties include the 1844/81 and 1851/81 blundered dates, the 1855 “Knob on Ear,” and large/small date and slanting-5 varieties. Full bright-red Uncirculated coins of the 1840s, and any Uncirculated 1857, are elusive.
We actively buy Braided Hair cents in every grade, from well-worn type coins to the key 1857, the blundered-date varieties, and full-red Mint State examples. Send photos for a free, no-obligation offer.