Price Guide for 1857 Half 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: $62.00 – $546.00Uncirculated: $173.00 – $2,530.00
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eBayCirculated: $37.40 – $450.00Uncirculated: $193.50 – $1,650.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $425.00Uncirculated: $465.00 – $5,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $2,415.00 – $2,645.00Uncirculated: $35.00 – $11,750.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1,900.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $4,650.00 – $25,000.00
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eBayUncirculated: $335.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $440.00Uncirculated: $2.50 – $2,645.00
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eBayUncirculated: $579.00 – $1,750.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $500.00 – $10,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $518.00 – $18,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $825.00 – $32,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $94.00 – $408.00Uncirculated: $182.13 – $2,300.00
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eBayUncirculated: $950.00 – $2,147.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $34.00 – $425.00Uncirculated: $465.00 – $3,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $564.00 – $4,993.75
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $475.00 – $2,750.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,128.00 – $5,760.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $800.00 – $16,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,415.00 – $18,400.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $5,250.00 – $36,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $5,750.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $9,000.00
Design and Specifications of the 1857 Half Cent
The 1857 Half Cent represents the final year of production for this denomination, marking the end of an era in American coinage. First minted in 1793, the Half Cent was the smallest denomination coin ever produced by the United States Mint. Its discontinuation was primarily due to rising copper prices and diminishing demand for such a small denomination in everyday commerce.
| Weight | 5.44 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 23 mm |
| Mint Marks | None (Philadelphia only) |
| Composition | 100% Copper |
| Obverse Design | Liberty Head (Braided Hair), designed by Christian Gobrecht |
| Reverse Design | Wreath surrounding 'HALF CENT', designed by Christian Gobrecht |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1857 Half Cents significantly impacts their value. Being the last year of issue, many were saved as keepsakes, resulting in a higher number of well-preserved specimens compared to earlier dates. However, truly pristine examples in grades MS65 and above remain quite rare and highly sought after by collectors.
Strike quality is particularly important for this issue, as some coins may exhibit weakness in certain areas. Coins with full, sharp details command a premium. The presence of original red color can also greatly enhance value, with Red-Brown (RB) and especially full Red (RD) examples being highly prized.
Mintage: 35,180
Rarity Scale: Scarce
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, due to its status as the final year of issue and overall scarcity
Historical significance plays a crucial role in the value of 1857 Half Cents. As the final year of a long-running denomination, these coins hold special appeal for collectors and numismatic historians alike. The relatively low mintage further enhances their desirability.
Provenance can also impact value, with coins from famous collections or with a well-documented history often commanding a premium. Additionally, the overall scarcity of the denomination in high grades means that even circulated examples in VF or EF condition are sought after by collectors assembling date runs or type sets.
