1840 1C Large Date, RD MS64RD Certification #90066175, PCGS #1822

Addressing the public criticism, Mint Engraver Christian Gobrecht began his re-design of the Coronet Cents in 1835, but his true inspiration came after an art exhibition in Philadelphia in 1839. There Gobrecht viewed the painting "Omnia Vincit Amor" ("Love Conquers All"), by artist Benjamin West. Struck by the beauty of West's portrayal of Venus, the Roman goddess of love, Gobrecht became inspired for another complete redesign of his own portrait of Liberty. The result was what we now call the "Braided Hair" design -- so-called for the braid of hair across Liberty's forehead beneath her coronet. Braided Hair cents continued in production from the latter part of 1839 through the final end of large cents in 1857. The design remained essentially unchanged throughout, with just a subtle modification made during 1843, when the portrait was enlarged slightly and re-oriented in its position on the die. The initial design has come to be called the "Petite Head," while the later design is referred to as the "Mature Head." The 1840 cent is from the N-8 variety, and it is not in the Noyes census. EAC64

Ron Guth

Among 1840 Large Cents, collectors can find either Small Dates or Large Dates.  The difference between the two is dramatic and centers, as might be expected, on the size of the date.  The two dates could not be more different, so it is easy to tell them apart.  The 1,8, and 4 are different in size and shape; the 0 differs only in size.  The following are the characteristics of each:

Small Date:
Long serif at the top of the 1
Block 8, with circles or ovals inside the loops
Normally-shaped 4; scalene triangle inside 4 (no equal sides, no equal angles)
Small 0, the same size as the other digits

Large Date:
Short serif at the top of 1
Cursive 8, with odd-shaped ellipses inside the loops
Oddly-shaped 4; isoscelese triangle inside 4 (two equal sides, two equal angles)
Large 0, the same size as the other digits

The 1840 Large Date Cent is not particularly rare, and it can be found in nice condition -- for a price.  The PCGS Condition Census for Brown exampes included coins from MS65 to MS66+.  Red-Brown examples are very scarce and full Red examples are very rare.