Whitman Expo
1849 Restrike Half Cent PR RB Reverse 1856, Small Date Values
Details
The restrike version variety of the 1849 Proof Half Cent is of the Braided Hair design on the obverse and tiny berries on the reverse. The mintage was composed of 15 coins which is on the lower end for the restrikes of this series. This issue is popularly collected as one of the ultimate low mintage type coins for the entire design type. Worth up to a maximum of about twenty-five thousand dollars making it relatively affordable in gem condition compared to the rest of the early restrikes of this design. Only red ultra-gems are worth far more. The Small Date is the more common of the two varieties from 1849 with the scarcer being the Large Date.
Obverse: 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: 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.
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
15
Coinage Type:
Half Cent
Coinage Years:
1840-1857
Composition:
Copper
Varieties and Classification
Variety:
Restrike
Variety 2:
Reverse 1856, Small Date
Physical Characteristics
Weight:
5.44 gr
Weight:
0.1749 oz
Strike Type:
Proof
Diameter:
23.5 mm
Coin Shape:
Round
Design Details
Designer:
Christian Gobrecht
Obverse Lettering:
LIBERTY, 1849
Obverse Designer:
Christian Gobrecht
Reverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, HALF, CENT
Reverse Designer:
Christian Gobrecht
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