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

Owner's Comments

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

Expert Comments

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. 

PCGS #
1817
Designer
Christian Gobrecht
Edge
Plain
Diameter
27.50 millimeters
Weight
10.89 grams
Mintage
200000
Metal
Copper
Pop Higher
35
Pop Lower
144
Region
The United States of America
Price Guide
PCGS Population
Auctions - PCGS Graded
Auctions - NGC Graded

Rarity and Survival Estimates Learn More

Grades
65 or Better 2000 R-4.6 16 / 33 TIE 35 / 81 TIE
All Grades 150 R-7.5 13 / 33 40 / 81 TIE
60 or Better 50 R-8.5 19 / 33 TIE 48 / 81 TIE
65 or Better 2000
All Grades 150
60 or Better 50
65 or Better R-4.6
All Grades R-7.5
60 or Better R-8.5
65 or Better 16 / 33 TIE
All Grades 13 / 33
60 or Better 19 / 33 TIE
65 or Better 35 / 81 TIE
All Grades 40 / 81 TIE
60 or Better 48 / 81 TIE

Condition Census Learn More

Pos Grade Thumbnail Pedigree and History
1 MS66BN PCGS grade
1 MS66BN PCGS grade MS66BN PCGS grade
1 MS66BN estimated grade
4 MS65BN PCGS grade
4 MS65BN PCGS grade
#1 MS66BN PCGS grade
MS66BN PCGS grade #1 MS66BN PCGS grade
#1 MS66BN estimated grade
#4 MS65BN PCGS grade
#4 MS65BN PCGS grade