Price Guide for 1842 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: $1.50 – $1,058.00Uncirculated: $92.00 – $6,900.00
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eBayCirculated: $11.55 – $540.00Uncirculated: $300.00 – $1,300.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $20.00 – $550.00Uncirculated: $700.00 – $8,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1.50 – $763.75Uncirculated: $247.00 – $9,200.00
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eBayCirculated: $19.50 – $565.88Uncirculated: $1,250.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $20.00 – $665.00Uncirculated: $700.00 – $6,750.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $81.00 – $16,000.00Uncirculated: $6,038.00 – $14,100.00
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eBayUncirculated: $21.76
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $5,000.00 – $27,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $219.00 – $10,350.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $725.00 – $10,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $29.00 – $9,500.00Uncirculated: $793.00 – $39,100.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $9,250.00 – $40,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $604.00Uncirculated: $1,320.00 – $4,140.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,800.00 – $17,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $161.00 – $322.00Uncirculated: $575.00 – $71,875.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $30,000.00 – $90,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $94.00 – $341.00Uncirculated: $920.00 – $13,800.00
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eBayCirculated: $21.38 – $550.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,760.00 – $4,935.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $92.00 – $587.50Uncirculated: $780.00 – $2,520.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $30.00 – $650.00Uncirculated: $750.00 – $3,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $4,700.00 – $6,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $6,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $805.00Uncirculated: $646.25 – $3,335.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $24,052.80
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $84.00 – $552.00Uncirculated: $480.00 – $6,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $160.00 – $425.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $45.00 – $575.00Uncirculated: $750.00 – $8,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3,525.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,750.00 – $4,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $5,040.00 – $26,400.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $95.00 – $776.00Uncirculated: $414.00 – $3,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $425.00 – $600.00Uncirculated: $725.00 – $3,250.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,820.00 – $4,700.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,000.00 – $6,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $127.00 – $690.00Uncirculated: $399.50 – $5,052.50
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eBayCirculated: $23.23 – $227.50Uncirculated: $855.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $38.00 – $575.00Uncirculated: $725.00 – $7,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $5,522.50
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $775.00 – $5,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $69.00 – $219.00Uncirculated: $719.00 – $2,585.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $38.00 – $575.00Uncirculated: $725.00 – $3,250.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $299.00 – $822.50Uncirculated: $1,140.00 – $4,320.00
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eBayCirculated: $59.00 – $163.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $5,040.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $141.00 – $633.00Uncirculated: $748.00 – $4,140.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $38.00 – $685.00Uncirculated: $725.00 – $6,850.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $11,750.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $76,375.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $84.00Uncirculated: $10,925.00
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eBayUncirculated: $3,700.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $20,000.00 – $30,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $73,437.50
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $100,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $5,405.00 – $25,850.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $12,250.00 – $30,500.00
Design and Specifications of the 1842 Cent
The 1842 Cent, also known as the Braided Hair Large Cent, was part of the series that began in 1839 and continued until 1857. This design represented a refined version of the earlier Classic Head cent, with Liberty’s hair styled in a braid and secured with a string of beads. The reverse featured a simple wreath enclosing the denomination.
In 1842, the United States was expanding westward, and the penny played a crucial role in everyday commerce. These large cents were the workhorses of small transactions, widely used in an era when a cent had significant purchasing power.
| Weight | 10.89 grams |
|---|---|
| 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 surrounding 'ONE CENT', designed by Christian Gobrecht |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
Condition plays a crucial role in the value of 1842 Large Cents. Due to their copper composition and long circulation, finding high-grade examples can be challenging. Coins in uncirculated condition (MS60 or higher) are particularly valuable.
Key factors affecting condition include:
1. Surface preservation: Free from significant marks or corrosion
2. Strike quality: Well-defined details, especially in Liberty’s hair and the wreath
3. Color: Original red or red-brown toning is highly desirable
4. Luster: Presence of original mint luster significantly increases value
Mintage: 2,383,390
Rarity Scale: Uncommon
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above due to the soft nature of copper and widespread circulation
Varieties Errors: Large Date and Small Date varieties
Market Demand: Moderate, with higher demand for high-grade specimens
Several factors can influence the value of 1842 Cents beyond condition:
1. Date size variety: Large Date and Small Date varieties exist, with the Small Date being scarcer and more valuable
2. Die state: Late die state examples showing interesting characteristics can command a premium
3. Provenance: Coins with a notable ownership history may be more valuable
4. Toning: Attractive, natural toning can enhance value
5. Strike quality: Well-struck examples with full details are more desirable
For advanced collectors, die varieties and errors are of particular interest. The 1842 Cent has several recognized die varieties, and identifying these can add significant value to a coin.
