1846 Braided Hair Large Cent Value Guide

The 1846 Braided Hair Large Cent is a significant piece of American numismatic history, representing the final era of oversized copper pennies before the transition to smaller denominations. Designed by Christian Gobrecht, this coin is highly collectible for its intricate Liberty head profile and its role as a precursor to the Flying Eagle cent.

What Is 1846 Braided Hair Large Cent Worth?

The typical price range for 1846 Braided Hair Large Cent is $5 - $7 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Surface preservation and the amount of original copper luster remaining on the coin.
• The clarity of the fine details in Liberty's hair and the individual leaves of the reverse wreath.
• Presence of environmental damage such as corrosion, pitting, or 'carbon spots' common on antique copper.
• Specific variety identification, such as 'Small Date' versus 'Tall Date' or 'Medium Date' strikes.

How to Identify 1846 Braided Hair Large Cent?

• Verify the 95% copper composition, which gives authentic specimens a distinct weight and metallic ring.
• Look for the 'Braided Hair' style Liberty head on the obverse, characterized by a more refined and slim profile than the earlier Matron Head.
• Check the reverse for the 'ONE CENT' denomination enclosed within a continuous laurel wreath.
• Examine the date '1846' at the bottom of the obverse to ensure the digits match the specific font style used by the U.S. Mint during that year.

History of 1846 Braided Hair Large Cent

Designed by Christian Gobrecht, the Braided Hair Large Cent was minted from 1839 to 1857. It replaced the Matron Head design and was the final type of the large copper cents before the U.S. Mint transitioned to the smaller Flying Eagle and Indian Head pennies due to rising copper costs.