Price Guide for 1840 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: $2.00 – $1,150.00Uncirculated: $180.00 – $8,812.50
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eBayCirculated: $34.99 – $550.00Uncirculated: $202.55 – $2,977.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $20.00 – $775.00Uncirculated: $850.00 – $12,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $29.08 – $1,553.00Uncirculated: $219.00 – $8,625.00
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eBayCirculated: $35.00 – $539.99
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $22.00 – $950.00Uncirculated: $1,000.00 – $8,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $75.00 – $1,725.00Uncirculated: $460.00 – $16,100.00
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eBayCirculated: $56.55 – $521.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $37.00 – $2,500.00Uncirculated: $2,750.00 – $22,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $13,200.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $259.00 – $18,213.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $5,500.00 – $22,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $127.00 – $2,530.00Uncirculated: $850.00 – $11,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,100.00 – $13,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $4,830.00 – $38,187.50
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $4,000.00 – $45,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,265.00 – $19,550.00
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eBayCirculated: $524.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,000.00 – $20,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $230.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,300.00 – $24,150.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3,600.00 – $30,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $144.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $104.00 – $399.50Uncirculated: $528.00 – $2,640.00
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eBayCirculated: $25.38
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $800.00Uncirculated: $875.00 – $6,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3,360.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $132.00 – $633.00Uncirculated: $176.00 – $7,637.50
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eBayUncirculated: $575.00 – $2,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $30.00 – $800.00Uncirculated: $875.00 – $9,650.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,820.00 – $13,512.50
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,150.00 – $15,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,415.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $95.00 – $949.00Uncirculated: $1,783.00 – $4,112.50
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eBayCirculated: $172.50 – $285.00Uncirculated: $1,602.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $180.00 – $840.00Uncirculated: $600.00 – $8,812.50
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eBayCirculated: $45.00 – $746.72
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $800.00Uncirculated: $875.00 – $11,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $5,520.00 – $8,225.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,150.00 – $6,750.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $132.00 – $805.00Uncirculated: $825.00 – $3,840.00
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eBayCirculated: $89.99 – $130.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $32.00 – $800.00Uncirculated: $875.00 – $6,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $35.00 – $1,380.00Uncirculated: $1,560.00 – $7,800.00
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eBayCirculated: $75.99
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $35.00 – $800.00Uncirculated: $875.00 – $11,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $4,025.00 – $7,800.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $6,750.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $180.00 – $432.00Uncirculated: $630.00 – $3,840.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $45.00 – $975.00Uncirculated: $1,050.00 – $2,750.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $14,400.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $21,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $211.20 – $780.00Uncirculated: $720.00 – $7,050.00
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eBayCirculated: $271.20Uncirculated: $4,375.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $950.00Uncirculated: $1,050.00 – $8,750.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,100.00 – $9,025.20
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $2,750.00 – $18,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $150.00 – $900.00Uncirculated: $630.00 – $4,112.50
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eBayCirculated: $16.66 – $749.99
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $105.00 – $1,057.50Uncirculated: $552.00 – $4,113.00
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eBayCirculated: $35.59 – $675.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $44.00 – $1,100.00Uncirculated: $1,500.00 – $4,250.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $306.00 – $2,040.00Uncirculated: $5,875.00 – $9,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $77.00 – $665.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $68.00 – $2,600.00Uncirculated: $2,850.00 – $20,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $14,688.00 – $18,800.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3,700.00 – $25,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $414.00 – $4,400.00Uncirculated: $5,060.00 – $21,737.50
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $11,000.00 – $27,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $207.00 – $575.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $4,230.00 – $8,338.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $5,750.00 – $23,000.00
Design and Specifications of the 1840 Cent
The 1840 Cent, also known as the Braided Hair Large Cent, marks an important transition in American coinage. Christian Gobrecht’s redesign of the cent, introduced in 1839, became fully implemented in 1840. This design would continue until the end of the large cent era in 1857.
The Braided Hair design represented a more refined and mature portrayal of Liberty, moving away from the classical style of earlier cents. This coin was minted during a period of economic recovery following the Panic of 1837, reflecting the nation’s gradual return to stability.
Weight | 10.89 grams |
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Diameter | 27.5 mm |
Mint Marks | None (Philadelphia only) |
Composition | 100% Copper |
Obverse Design | Liberty Head (Braided Hair), designed by Christian Gobrecht |
Reverse Design | Wreath of laurel leaves enclosing 'ONE CENT', designed by Christian Gobrecht |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
Condition is crucial for the 1840 Cent’s value. High-grade specimens are particularly desirable due to the coin’s age and the scarcity of well-preserved examples. Uncirculated examples with original red color are extremely rare and command significant premiums.
The quality of the strike can vary, with some coins showing weakness in certain areas. Coins with full, sharp details are more valuable. Environmental damage, such as corrosion or porosity, can significantly reduce value, as copper is prone to such issues.
Mintage: 2,462,700
Rarity Scale: Scarce
Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: Small Date and Large Date varieties
Market Demand: High, especially for well-preserved specimens
Date size varieties (Small Date and Large Date) can affect value, with the Small Date generally being scarcer. Die states and errors, while not common, can add interest and value for specialists.
The presence of original mint luster and attractive, natural toning can significantly enhance desirability among collectors. Coins with prooflike surfaces, though rare, are highly prized.
As a type coin representative of the Braided Hair design, the 1840 Cent holds additional appeal for collectors assembling type sets of early American coinage.