Price Guide for 1831 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: $12.00 – $5,750.00Uncirculated: $2.55 – $14,950.00
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eBayCirculated: $8.50 – $499.99Uncirculated: $684.00 – $1,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $26.00 – $715.00Uncirculated: $750.00 – $10,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $16.00 – $2,760.00Uncirculated: $403.00 – $6,325.00
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eBayCirculated: $20.50 – $629.00Uncirculated: $202.50 – $2,689.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $32.00 – $850.00Uncirculated: $1,000.00 – $5,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $161.00 – $17,825.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $800.00 – $21,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $9,900.00 – $31,725.00
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eBayCirculated: $14.50 – $97.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $17,500.00 – $80,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,265.00 – $43,700.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,750.00 – $68,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $192.00 – $763.75Uncirculated: $235.00 – $2,585.00
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eBayCirculated: $39.90 – $335.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $35.00 – $675.00Uncirculated: $750.00 – $2,150.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $180.00 – $630.00Uncirculated: $576.00 – $4,320.00
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eBayCirculated: $27.00 – $90.00Uncirculated: $3,155.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $35.00 – $675.00Uncirculated: $750.00 – $5,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $4,560.00 – $8,813.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,400.00 – $11,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $161.00 – $690.00Uncirculated: $540.00 – $9,600.00
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eBayCirculated: $60.00 – $267.50
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $35.00 – $675.00Uncirculated: $750.00 – $5,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $22,325.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $25,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $92.00 – $1,058.00Uncirculated: $1,121.00 – $2,760.00
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eBayCirculated: $22.59 – $435.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $45.00 – $800.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $7,050.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $109.00 – $1,410.00Uncirculated: $750.00 – $1,800.00
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eBayCirculated: $760.71
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $35.00 – $675.00Uncirculated: $750.00 – $2,150.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6,463.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $173.00 – $1,064.00Uncirculated: $480.00
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eBayCirculated: $37.53 – $40.80
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $950.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $102.00Uncirculated: $2,820.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $105.75 – $3,600.00Uncirculated: $780.00 – $3,055.00
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eBayCirculated: $60.00 – $63.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $35.00 – $675.00Uncirculated: $750.00 – $5,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $132.00 – $1,440.00Uncirculated: $9,400.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $330.00Uncirculated: $3,000.00 – $4,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $60.00 – $1,800.00Uncirculated: $2,340.00 – $3,055.00
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eBayCirculated: $152.90
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $30.00 – $850.00Uncirculated: $950.00 – $7,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $117.50 – $764.00Uncirculated: $506.00 – $4,560.00
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eBayCirculated: $80.00 – $109.99
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $30.00 – $850.00Uncirculated: $950.00 – $4,750.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $546.00Uncirculated: $575.00 – $105,750.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $8,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $144.00 – $4,700.00Uncirculated: $776.00
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eBayCirculated: $100.99
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $325.00 – $2,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $46.00 – $1,410.00Uncirculated: $2,415.00 – $8,813.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1,400.00Uncirculated: $9,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $167.00 – $822.50Uncirculated: $1,440.00 – $2,760.00
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eBayCirculated: $140.00 – $255.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $30.00 – $800.00Uncirculated: $2,000.00 – $2,250.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $5,288.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $25,200.00 – $43,125.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $37,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $25,200.00 – $27,600.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $27,500.00 – $75,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $9,000.00 – $17,625.00
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eBayCirculated: $365.00 – $399.20
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $22,500.00 – $40,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $9,400.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $17,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $14,100.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $22,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $21,150.00 – $42,300.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $22,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $23,500.00 – $29,375.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $33,500.00
Design and Specifications of the 1831 Cent
The 1831 Cent, also known as the Coronet Head or Matron Head Cent, was part of the large cent series produced by the United States Mint. This coin represents a transitional period in American coinage, as the country was moving towards more refined and consistent coin production techniques.
The Coronet Head design, introduced in 1816, was an improvement over the previous Classic Head design. It featured a more mature and dignified representation of Liberty, reflecting the growing confidence and stability of the young nation.
| Weight | 10.89 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 28.5 mm |
| Mint Marks | None (all minted in Philadelphia) |
| Composition | 100% Copper |
| Obverse Design | Coronet Head (Matron Head) design, designed by John Reich |
| Reverse Design | Wreath and 'ONE CENT' inscription, designed by John Reich |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
Condition plays a crucial role in determining the value of an 1831 Cent. Due to their age and extensive circulation, high-grade examples are scarce and highly sought after by collectors. Coins in uncirculated condition (MS60 and above) are particularly valuable.
Key factors affecting condition include:
– Surface preservation: Look for coins with minimal contact marks and scratches.
– Strike quality: Well-struck coins with sharp details are more desirable.
– Color: Original red or red-brown specimens command a premium over fully brown examples.
Mintage: 3,359,260
Rarity Scale: Uncommon
Circulation Status: Limited Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS60 and above
Varieties Errors: Large Letters, Medium Letters, and Small Letters varieties
Market Demand: Moderate, with higher demand for high-grade specimens
Variety collecting adds another dimension to the 1831 Cent’s value. The three main varieties (Large Letters, Medium Letters, and Small Letters) can affect pricing, with some being scarcer than others.
Die states and errors can also impact value. Coins with interesting die cracks, cuds, or other minting anomalies may command a premium among specialized collectors.
Lastly, provenance can significantly enhance value. Coins with a documented history of ownership by notable collectors or inclusion in famous collections can be worth substantially more than similar examples without such pedigrees.
