1851 1/2C, BN (Regular Strike)

Series: Braided Hair Half Cents 1849-1857

PCGS MS66BN

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PCGS MS66BN

PCGS MS65BN

PCGS #:: 1224

Designer:: Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Plain

Diameter:: 23.00 millimeters

Weight:: 5.44 grams

Mintage:: 147,672

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: Copper

Auction Record:: $6,900 • MS66 • 03-02-2006 • Heritage Auctions

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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.
All Grades	1,500	R-4.8	5 / 8	5 / 8
60 or Better	500	R-6.0	5 / 8 TIE	5 / 8 TIE
65 or Better	10	R-9.5	1 / 8 TIE	1 / 8 TIE

Survival Estimate
All Grades	1,500
60 or Better	500
65 or Better	10

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-4.8
60 or Better	R-6.0
65 or Better	R-9.5

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	5 / 8
60 or Better	5 / 8 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 8 TIE

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	5 / 8
60 or Better	5 / 8 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 8 TIE

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Image	Pedigree and History
1	MS66BN PCGS grade
2	MS64BN PCGS grade
2	MS64BN PCGS grade
2	MS64BN PCGS grade
2	MS64BN PCGS grade
2	MS64BN PCGS grade
2	MS64BN PCGS grade
2	MS64BN PCGS grade
2	MS64BN PCGS grade
2	MS64BN PCGS grade

#1 MS66BN PCGS grade

#2 MS64BN PCGS grade

#2 MS64BN PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

The 1851 Half Cent has the highest mintage of the Braided Hair type but it is not the most commonly encountered date (that distinction goes to the 1853). In Mint State, the 1851 Half Cent is fairly common, but not as common as dates such as 1853, 1854, and 1855. The finest certified example is a single PCGS MS66 Brown. Most Mint State examples seen are in the MS-63 to MS-64 range. In full Red, more of the 1851 Half Cent have been certified than any other.

On high grade examples, the bottom of a misplaced 1 can be seen to the right of the date.

Only one die variety (Cohen 1) is known of the 1851 Half Cent.

Sources and/or recommended reading: "American Half Cents, Second Edition" by Rogern S. Cohen, Jr.