1849 Braided Hair Half Cents : Original - Small Date - Proof Only

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

One major variety of the 1849 Braided Hair Half Cent (Penny) is the Original strike version. This can be identified by noting that the berries on the reverse of the coin are large and round along with a smaller date. The first restrike variety has small berries and there are no known second restrikes. The difference between the 1849 braided hair half cent original vs first restrike is depicted below in the example comparison image (Source of example images are courtesy of Heritage Auction Galleries):

Coin Value Chart: Typical Coin Prices, Values and Worth in USD based on Grade/Condition. Numismatic portion of the values last updated February 2026, precious metal portion of the values is updated live!

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)
-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	$6,829

USA Coin Book Estimated Value of 1849 Braided Hair Half Cent (Original - Small Date - Proof Only Variety) is Worth $6,829 or more. 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: $0.0753