1848 1/2C Original, BN (Proof)

Series: Braided Hair Half Cents 1840-1857

PCGS PR65BN

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PCGS PR65BN

PCGS #:: 1296

Designer:: Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Plain

Diameter:: 23.00 millimeters

Weight:: 5.44 grams

Mintage:: 15

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: Copper

Auction Record:: $39,950 • PR65 • 05-12-2015 • 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	6	R-9.7	6 / 30 TIE	6 / 30 TIE
60 or Better	5	R-9.7	7 / 30 TIE	7 / 30 TIE
65 or Better	0	R-10.1	1 / 30	1 / 30

Survival Estimate
All Grades	6
60 or Better	5
65 or Better

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-9.7
60 or Better	R-9.7
65 or Better	R-10.1

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	6 / 30 TIE
60 or Better	7 / 30 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 30

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	6 / 30 TIE
60 or Better	7 / 30 TIE
65 or Better	1 / 30

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Image	Pedigree and History
1	PR65BN PCGS grade
2	PR64BN PCGS grade
3	PR63BN PCGS grade
3	PR63BN PCGS grade
5	PR62BN estimated grade
5	PR62BN estimated grade
7	PR61BN PCGS grade
8	PR58 PCGS grade

#1 PR65BN PCGS grade

#2 PR64BN PCGS grade

#3 PR63BN PCGS grade

#5 PR62BN estimated grade

#7 PR61BN PCGS grade

#8 PR58 PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

1848 Half Cents are a Proof-only date, meaning that none were struck for circulation. Perhaps as many as twenty Proofs were struck in 1848, but soon collectors realized these were rarities and demanded more. As a result, restrikes were made to satisfy this demand.

Conventional wisdom says that Originals show large berries on the reverse; Restrikes show small berries on the reverse. However, Breen claims that restrikes were made using the original, Large Berries reverse and that these can be identified by heavy repolishing of the obverse die and repolishing of the reverse die. Traditionally, these have all been lumped together as "Originals," but they will begin to be separated Breen's attribution system is accepted and as more and more coins are examined.

As might be expected of copper coins from over 150 years ago, most of the original 1848 Half Cents are brown in color. A small percentage are Red-Brown and only one example has been identified by PCGS as being full Red.