1857 1/2C, BN VF30BN Certification #38248306, PCGS #1239

CoinFacts Details

Expert Comments

Ron Guth

The 1857 has the lowest mintage of any regular issue Braided Hair Half Cent. By 1857, the cost of producing Half Cents and Large Cents approached or exceeded the value of the coins. Thus, after 1857, the Half Cent was discontinued and the Small Cent replaced the old style Large Cent.

Mint State examples of the 1857 Half Cent are relatively easy to find, but only in the MS-63 and MS-64 grade levels. In MS-65, the 1857 Half Cents is a true condition-rarity.

PCGS #

1239

Designer

Christian Gobrecht

Edge

Plain

Diameter

23.00 millimeters

Weight

5.44 grams

Mintage

35180

Metal

Copper

Pop Higher

681

Pop Lower

Region

The United States of America

Price Guide

PCGS Population

Auctions - PCGS Graded

Auctions - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades	Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.	Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.	Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.	Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	1000	R-5.0	2 / 8 TIE	2 / 8 TIE
All Grades	300	R-6.4	4 / 8	4 / 8
60 or Better	25	R-9.0	5 / 8	5 / 8

Survival Estimate The Survival Estimate represents an average of one or more experts opinions as to how many examples survive of a particular coin in three categories: 1) all grades, 2) 60 or better, and 3) 65 or better. These estimates are based on a variety of sources, including population reports, auction appearances, and personal knowledge. Survival estimates include coins that are raw, certified by PCGS, and certified by other grading services.
65 or Better	1000
All Grades	300
60 or Better	25

Numismatic Rarity Numismatic Rarity converts the Survival Estimate for a particular coin into a number from 1 to 10 (with decimal increments) based on the PCGS Rarity Scale. The higher the number, the more rare the coin.
65 or Better	R-5.0
All Grades	R-6.4
60 or Better	R-9.0

Relative Rarity by Type Relative Rarity By Type ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Type. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	2 / 8 TIE
All Grades	4 / 8
60 or Better	5 / 8

Relative Rarity by Series Relative Rarity By Series ranks the rarity of this coin with all other coins of this Series. Lower numbers indicate rarer coins.
65 or Better	2 / 8 TIE
All Grades	4 / 8
60 or Better	5 / 8

Condition Census Learn More

Pos	Grade	Thumbnail	Pedigree and History
1	MS65+BN PCGS grade
2	MS65BN PCGS grade
2	MS65BN PCGS grade
2	MS65BN PCGS grade
2	MS65BN PCGS grade

#1 MS65+BN PCGS grade

#2 MS65BN PCGS grade