1847 Braided Hair Large Cent Value Guide

The 1847 Braided Hair Large Cent represents the final evolution of the oversized copper penny before the US Mint transitioned to smaller denominations. Designed by Christian Gobrecht and struck at the Philadelphia Mint, these coins are highly collectible as tangible artifacts of mid-19th century American commerce.

What affects the value of 1847 Braided Hair Large Cent?

• Surface preservation, specifically the presence of original mint luster or 'red' copper color.
• The clarity of the hair strands and the 'LIBERTY' inscription on the coronet.
• Absence of environmental damage such as corrosion, pitting, or dark oxidation common to copper.
• Overall strike quality and the sharpness of the stars surrounding the Liberty head.

How to Identify 1847 Braided Hair Large Cent?

• Verify the 'Braided Hair' Liberty portrait facing right with a coronet inscribed with 'LIBERTY'.
• Check for the 1847 date centered below the bust on the obverse.
• Confirm the reverse features a laurel wreath encircling the words 'ONE CENT'.
• Ensure the material is pure copper with a diameter significantly larger than a modern penny.

History of 1847 Braided Hair Large Cent

Designed by Christian Gobrecht, the Braided Hair Large Cent was the final design type for the oversized copper penny before the transition to the smaller Flying Eagle cent in 1857. Produced at the Philadelphia Mint, these coins were widely used in everyday commerce during the mid-19th century.