1854 1/2C, BN (Regular Strike)

Series: Braided Hair Half Cents 1849-1857

PCGS MS66BN

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PCGS MS66BN

PCGS MS65+BN

PCGS #:: 1230

Designer:: Christian Gobrecht

Edge:: Plain

Diameter:: 23.00 millimeters

Weight:: 5.44 grams

Mintage:: 55,358

Mint:: Philadelphia

Metal:: Copper

Auction Record:: $6,900 • MS66 • 11-07-2006 • Stack's

ShowHide Related Coins and Varieties (6)

Major Varieties

1854 1/2C, BN
1854 1/2C, RB
1854 1/2C, RD

Die Varieties

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Price Guide (USD)

PCGS Population

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For Sale Now at Collectors Corner - PCGS Graded

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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	2,500	R-4.5	6 / 8	6 / 8
60 or Better	500	R-6.0	5 / 8 TIE	5 / 8 TIE
65 or Better	40	R-8.7	6 / 8	6 / 8

Survival Estimate
All Grades	2,500
60 or Better	500
65 or Better	40

Numismatic Rarity
All Grades	R-4.5
60 or Better	R-6.0
65 or Better	R-8.7

Relative Rarity By Type All Specs in this Type
All Grades	6 / 8
60 or Better	5 / 8 TIE
65 or Better	6 / 8

Relative Rarity By Series All Specs in this Series
All Grades	6 / 8
60 or Better	5 / 8 TIE
65 or Better	6 / 8

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos	Grade	Pedigree and History
1	MS66BN PCGS grade	James R. McGuigan, sold privately on 5/10/1987 - R. Tettenhorst Collection - Missouri Cabinet (Mocab 54.2.3) - Goldbergs 1/2014:214, $12,075
1	MS66BN PCGS grade	Goldbergs 1/2016:443, $1,997.50
1	MS66BN PCGS grade	Heritage 8/2006:129, $4,025 - Stack's 11/2006:2368, $6,900
1	MS66BN estimated grade
1	MS66BN estimated grade
6	MS65+BN PCGS grade
7	MS65BN PCGS grade	(Breen 2:1-B) ESM Collection
7	MS65BN PCGS grade
7	MS65BN PCGS grade
7	MS65BN PCGS grade

#1 MS66BN PCGS grade

James R. McGuigan, sold privately on 5/10/1987 - R. Tettenhorst Collection - Missouri Cabinet (Mocab 54.2.3) - Goldbergs 1/2014:214, $12,075

#1 MS66BN PCGS grade

Goldbergs 1/2016:443, $1,997.50

#1 MS66BN PCGS grade

Heritage 8/2006:129, $4,025 - Stack's 11/2006:2368, $6,900

#1 MS66BN estimated grade

#6 MS65+BN PCGS grade

#7 MS65BN PCGS grade

(Breen 2:1-B) ESM Collection

#7 MS65BN PCGS grade

Ron Guth:

The 1854 Half Cent has the fourth highest mintage of the Braided Hair series. At just over 55,000 pieces, the 1854 Half Cent is nearly tied with the 1855 and is not much higher than the scarcest dates in the series (the 1857 holds that position with a mintage of 35,180). The 1854 Half Cent can be found in most grades with relative ease. Mint State examples are reasonably common, mostly in Brown and usually in MS63. Gems are scarce and only two examples have been graded MS66 by PCGS, with none finer. Red-Brown examples make up a fair percentage of the Mint State survivors and are usually seen in MS-64. Full Red 1854 Half Cents, like most dates in the series, are very scarce.

Only one die variety is known for this year.