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The United States utilized a two-cent coin for just ten years, from 1864 to 1873.
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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:
213468
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 #:
91262
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Coin Value History
1842 1/2c Original PR RD CAM
Currency
Grade Range
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Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
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
Greysheet News
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8/19/2026
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CAC approved and CACG encapsulated coins fared well in public sales during the month of July 2026.
8/18/2026
Events
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Wednesday, June 3, 2026