1839 Coronet Liberty Head Large Cents : Booby Head

What This Coin Looks Like (Obverse, Reverse, Mint Mark Location, Special Features, etc.):

One major variety of the 1839 Coronet Head Large Cent (Penny) includes the "Booby Head" design of the portrait of lady liberty on the obverse of the coin. This is one of the newer designs of the liberty head introduced in 1839. This coin can be best identified by the addition of a lock of hair on the forehead and also the raising of the hair line above the "LIBERTY" crown. The most recognizable feature is the addition of the shoulder tip on the liberty portrait which was not included in the "Silly Head" design. Another easy way to distinguish the difference between the Silly Head vs Booby Head is by observing the number of beads on the first strand of beads (closest to the front of the head). The Booby Head design will have many more beads - or around 11 beads while the Silly Head will have around 7 beads.

Depicted below is an example image showing the differences and comparisons between all 4 varieties of the 1839 large cent. Note how the hair line changes relative to the "LIBERTY" crown and the style of the hair. Also note the additional features unique to each variety pointed out by the arrows. Click the image to enlarge:

Coin Value Chart: Typical Coin Prices, Values and Worth in USD based on Grade/Condition

Good (G-4)	Very Good (VG-8)	Fine (F-12)	Very Fine (VF-20)	Extremely Fine (EF-40)	About Uncirculated (AU-50)	Uncirculated (MS-60)	Uncirculated (MS-63)	Proof (PR-63)
$48	$59	$88	$149	$311	$644	$1,028	$1,689	-

USA Coin Book Estimated Value of 1839 Coronet Liberty Head Large Cent (Booby Head Variety) is Worth $59 in Average Condition and can be Worth $1,028 to $1,689 or more in Uncirculated (MS+) Mint Condition. Click here to Learn How to use Coin Price Charts. Also, click here to Learn About Grading Coins. The Melt Value shown below is how Valuable the Coin's Metal is Worth (bare minimum value of coin). Click here to see the Melt Value of every US Coin.


MELT VALUE: $0.1008