1839 1C Type of 1840, BN MS62BN Certification #24134987, PCGS #1817

The 1839 Type of 1840 is a specific die variety of all 1839 Large Cents. In this same year the mint also produced the Booby Head and the Silly Head, as well as a regular Coronet Head. This is the first of Gobrecht's Braided Hair cents. Despite being a first year type coin it does not appear to be heavily hoarded like many other first year coins. The survival ratings for 39 Type of 40 cents are quite abysmal. Only 150 UNCS and 50 Gems makes it quite challenging for the average collector to obtain a choice example. The coin in my collection was originally part of the "Ave Maria" collection of first year type coins, which for awhile occupied the #1 place in the PCGS registry. It is quite a pleasure to currently own this coin, given the prior pedigree. The piece itself displays a very nice even medium chocolate obverse with only minor marks and some tiny spots of corrosion near the date. The obverse luster is somewhat subdued, and the devices have just the lightest touch of friction. In my opinion the coin was probably stored in an old Wayte Raymond at some point prior to slabbing. The reverse of the coin displays pleasing carthweel luster and accents of original red around the wreath

Jaime Hernandez

The 1839 Type of 1840 Large Cent seems to be a little undervalued as PCGS has a graded a total of about 200 examples more or less in all grades and designations combined. In Gem condition or better they become very scarce as few examples have been confirmed. Anything grading MS65 or higher is considered rare, especially with any traces of red remaining.