PCGS Number: 35343
Coin Date: 1840
Denomination (Short): 1/2c
Denomination (Long): Half Cent
Variety: Restrike
Variety 2: Reverse of 1856
Desg: PR
Composition: Copper
Mintage: 12-17 known
Strike Type: Proof
Coinage Type: Braided Hair
Coinage Years: 1840-1857
Mint Location: Philadelphia
Diameter: 23.5
Fineness: 0
Weight (Grams): 5.44
Weight (Ounces): 0
Designer: Christian Gobrecht
Edge: Plain Edge
Obverse Description: Lady Liberty is portrayed with hair tied in a bun, facing left, in what is referred to as the so-called braided hair style. The word LIBERTY appearing on her headband. 13 stars appear continuously around the periphery with the date at the bottom.
Reverse Description: The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the periphery surround a wreath framing the words HALF CENT. The wreath is tied by a bow at the bottom.
General Notes: This restrike issue is certainly few and far between but is not quite as scarce as its original issue counterpart. The restrike version variety of the 1840 Proof Half Cent is of the Braided Hair design on the obverse and far smaller berries on the reverse. There are also some other reverse diagnostics to tell it apart from the original. The mintage was composed of just 20 coins in total of which it is estimated that all have survived. Overall, this is just a very scarce type worth anywhere between four thousand to over twenty thousand dollars depending on the grade.
NGC ID: 26Z5

1840 1/2c Restrike Reverse of 1856 RB