Price Guide for 1845 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: $16.00 – $5,175.00Uncirculated: $2.10 – $9,200.00
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eBayCirculated: $5.50 – $433.00Uncirculated: $148.50 – $655.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $20.00 – $360.00Uncirculated: $400.00 – $2,650.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $7,188.00 – $23,206.25
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $11,500.00 – $36,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $380.00 – $16,100.00
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eBayUncirculated: $30.00 – $3,925.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $675.00 – $8,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3,680.00 – $7,820.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3,600.00 – $11,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $446.50 – $646.00Uncirculated: $1,898.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $65.00 – $615.00Uncirculated: $650.00 – $2,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $79.00 – $216.00Uncirculated: $336.00 – $3,240.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $34.00 – $380.00Uncirculated: $420.00 – $2,700.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $129.25 – $720.00Uncirculated: $881.25 – $1,020.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $150.40 – $616.88Uncirculated: $376.00 – $1,860.00
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eBayCirculated: $19.25 – $355.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $390.00Uncirculated: $425.00 – $1,250.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,880.00 – $3,055.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $725.00 – $3,650.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,996.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $94.00Uncirculated: $399.50 – $1,980.00
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eBayCirculated: $17.01Uncirculated: $385.00 – $675.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $34.00 – $385.00Uncirculated: $425.00 – $2,700.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,116.25 – $5,170.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $5,650.00 – $8,150.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $228.00 – $288.00Uncirculated: $480.00 – $1,800.00
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eBayUncirculated: $321.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $32.00 – $385.00Uncirculated: $425.00 – $1,250.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,704.00 – $25,850.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $31.00 – $1,997.50Uncirculated: $3,055.00 – $4,320.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $38.00 – $2,500.00Uncirculated: $2,650.00 – $4,250.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $576.00 – $2,820.00
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eBayCirculated: $290.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $138.65 – $441.00Uncirculated: $336.00 – $810.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $38.00 – $385.00Uncirculated: $425.00 – $700.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,880.00 – $3,055.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $7,800.00 – $13,225.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $53.00 – $216.00Uncirculated: $423.00 – $1,997.50
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eBayCirculated: $20.50
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $35.00 – $450.00Uncirculated: $475.00 – $2,600.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,500.00 – $5,170.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $240.00Uncirculated: $180.00 – $1,762.50
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eBayUncirculated: $105.27
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $30.00 – $410.00Uncirculated: $450.00 – $1,400.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,293.00 – $3,120.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $164.50 – $1,410.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $450.00 – $1,400.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $216.00 – $258.50Uncirculated: $360.00 – $1,175.00
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eBayUncirculated: $349.99
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $32.00 – $385.00Uncirculated: $425.00 – $1,250.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,140.00 – $2,468.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $199.75 – $259.00
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eBayCirculated: $13.51 – $450.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $4,112.50 – $7,637.50
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $13,500.00 – $20,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6,462.50 – $35,250.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $30,250.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $8,225.00 – $12,650.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $12,750.00 – $17,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $19,975.00
Design and Specifications of the 1845 Cent
The 1845 Cent, also known as the Braided Hair Large Cent, was part of the series minted from 1839 to 1857. This design represented the final iteration of the large cent before the transition to smaller-diameter cents in 1857. The coin was produced during a period of significant westward expansion and economic growth in the United States, reflecting the nation’s development in the mid-19th century.
| 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 1845 Cents. Due to their long circulation and copper composition, many examples show significant wear, corrosion, or environmental damage. Coins in higher grades (EF and above) command substantial premiums, with uncirculated specimens being particularly desirable.
The quality of the strike can vary, affecting the coin’s appeal. Well-struck examples with full details in Liberty’s hair and the wreath are more valuable. Original red or red-brown color is highly prized in uncirculated specimens, while attractive, even patina is desirable for circulated coins.
Mintage: 3,894,804
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: Petite Head variety (scarcer)
Market Demand: Moderate, higher for well-preserved specimens
The Petite Head variety of 1845, featuring a slightly smaller portrait of Liberty, is scarcer and more valuable than the regular issue. Collectors also prize examples with sharp strikes, full dentils, and problem-free surfaces.
Provenance can add value, especially for high-grade specimens with a history of belonging to notable collections. Toning can significantly impact value, with attractive, natural toning being desirable to many collectors. Conversely, cleaned or damaged coins are less valuable, as collectors in this series generally prefer original, problem-free examples.
