Price Guide for 1852 Cent Variants
This guide presents price ranges for variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $10.00 – $1,495.00Uncirculated: $81.00 – $16,100.00
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eBayCirculated: $13.50 – $256.00Uncirculated: $25.00 – $1,525.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $20.00 – $215.00Uncirculated: $225.00 – $16,750.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $79.00Uncirculated: $1.65 – $5,581.00
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eBayUncirculated: $398.00 – $1,918.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $300.00 – $19,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $201.00 – $28,750.00
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eBayCirculated: $61.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $400.00 – $17,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $75.00 – $264.00Uncirculated: $180.00 – $881.25
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eBayCirculated: $38.50 – $250.00Uncirculated: $149.59
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $260.00Uncirculated: $275.00 – $1,700.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $630.00 – $2,350.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $312.00 – $1,380.00
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eBayCirculated: $154.00 – $177.00Uncirculated: $182.00 – $350.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $30.00 – $250.00Uncirculated: $260.00 – $1,700.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $384.00 – $2,750.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1,276.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $350.00 – $1,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,920.00 – $4,200.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $235.00 – $2,115.00
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eBayUncirculated: $331.20 – $495.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $250.00Uncirculated: $260.00 – $1,700.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $105.00 – $211.50Uncirculated: $376.00 – $3,818.75
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eBayCirculated: $55.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $250.00Uncirculated: $260.00 – $3,650.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,645.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $90.00 – $329.00Uncirculated: $288.00 – $1,057.50
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eBayCirculated: $114.50 – $124.58Uncirculated: $642.00 – $1,150.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $265.00Uncirculated: $275.00 – $1,700.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $840.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $650.00 – $2,800.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $235.00 – $1,527.50
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eBayUncirculated: $299.99 – $1,036.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $260.00Uncirculated: $275.00 – $1,700.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $423.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $228.00Uncirculated: $168.00 – $1,410.00
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eBayCirculated: $95.00Uncirculated: $380.00 – $995.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $260.00Uncirculated: $275.00 – $1,700.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $305.50 – $2,938.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $600.00 – $3,100.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,232.50 – $15,600.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $4,150.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $152.75Uncirculated: $247.00 – $1,645.00
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eBayCirculated: $179.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,323.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $288.00 – $576.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $255.00Uncirculated: $265.00 – $1,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $305.50 – $4,230.00
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eBayUncirculated: $450.00 – $455.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $450.00 – $1,600.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $94.00Uncirculated: $235.00 – $16,450.00
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eBayCirculated: $38.25 – $65.00Uncirculated: $215.50 – $369.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $265.00Uncirculated: $275.00 – $17,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,821.25 – $1,860.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $94.00 – $196.00Uncirculated: $282.00 – $661.00
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eBayCirculated: $79.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $265.00Uncirculated: $275.00 – $1,700.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $720.00 – $1,146.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,232.50
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $204.00 – $1,645.00
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eBayCirculated: $20.39
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $275.00
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eBayUncirculated: $675.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $84.00Uncirculated: $192.00 – $4,465.00
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eBayCirculated: $90.09 – $202.59Uncirculated: $404.00 – $2,250.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $265.00Uncirculated: $275.00 – $3,600.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,234.00
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eBayCirculated: $95.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $450.00 – $1,600.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $4,140.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $353.00 – $940.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $30.00 – $265.00Uncirculated: $275.00 – $1,700.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $676.00 – $2,520.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $4,080.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $100.00Uncirculated: $258.50 – $1,680.00
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eBayUncirculated: $700.00 – $810.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,560.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $216.00 – $376.00Uncirculated: $305.50 – $2,160.00
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eBayCirculated: $37.00 – $475.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $250.00 – $260.00Uncirculated: $275.00 – $350.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $89.00Uncirculated: $633.00 – $1,586.25
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eBayCirculated: $130.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,760.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $129.00Uncirculated: $340.75 – $2,702.50
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eBayCirculated: $300.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $255.00Uncirculated: $275.00 – $16,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $900.00 – $2,760.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,600.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,468.75 – $94,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,450.00 – $4,150.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $72.00 – $587.50Uncirculated: $646.25 – $1,920.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $585.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $14,300.00 – $92,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $100,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $44,650.00 – $47,150.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $50,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $105,750.00
Design and Specifications of the 1852 Cent
The 1852 Cent, also known as the Braided Hair Large Cent, was part of the final series of large cents produced by the United States Mint. This coin represents a significant period in American numismatic history, as it was minted just a few years before the transition to smaller-sized cents in 1857.
The design, featuring Liberty with braided hair on the obverse and a simple wreath on the reverse, was a continuation of the style introduced in 1839. These coins were widely used in everyday commerce during the mid-19th century.
| Weight | 10.89 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 27.5 mm |
| Mint Marks | None (Philadelphia only) |
| Composition | 100% Copper |
| Obverse Design | Braided Hair Liberty Head, designed by Christian Gobrecht |
| Reverse Design | Wreath surrounding 'ONE CENT', designed by Christian Gobrecht |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of an 1852 Cent significantly impacts its value and desirability among collectors. Due to their extensive circulation and the passage of time, finding high-grade examples can be challenging.
Uncirculated specimens, particularly those grading MS65 or higher, are quite scarce and command substantial premiums. Coins with original red color (RD) are especially prized, as most have toned to brown over the years.
Collectors also value coins with sharp strikes, good luster, and minimal contact marks. The presence of attractive, natural toning can enhance a coin’s appeal and value.
Mintage: 5,063,094
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, higher for well-preserved specimens
Die varieties can add interest and value to 1852 Cents. While not as numerous or dramatic as in earlier years, subtle differences in date placement or other design elements are collected by specialists.
The quality of the planchet can also affect value. Coins struck on smooth, defect-free planchets are more desirable than those with pre-striking flaws.
Lastly, provenance can play a role in value. Coins with a documented history of belonging to famous collections or notable collectors may command a premium in the marketplace.
