Price Guide for 1853 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: $14.00 – $2,875.00Uncirculated: $550.00 – $19,387.50
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eBayUncirculated: $1,100.00 – $7,090.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $350.00 – $35,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $11.00 – $1,380.00Uncirculated: $1.80 – $5,288.00
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eBayCirculated: $11.00 – $523.00Uncirculated: $59.00 – $2,050.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $20.00 – $255.00Uncirculated: $265.00 – $7,250.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $28,200.00
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eBayUncirculated: $380.00 – $2,106.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $40,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $91.00 – $356.00Uncirculated: $1.90 – $6,037.50
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eBayCirculated: $66.99Uncirculated: $170.00 – $1,200.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $300.00 – $5,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $55.00 – $576.00Uncirculated: $216.00 – $2,585.00
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eBayCirculated: $14.53 – $250.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $285.00Uncirculated: $300.00 – $1,400.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $564.00 – $4,817.50
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $600.00 – $3,150.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $12,925.00 – $14,100.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $12,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $228.00Uncirculated: $264.00 – $1,762.50
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eBayCirculated: $215.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,300.00 – $2,200.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $376.00 – $1,880.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $288.00 – $2,040.00
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eBayCirculated: $88.50 – $200.00Uncirculated: $325.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $30.00 – $285.00Uncirculated: $300.00 – $975.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $907.50
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eBayUncirculated: $1,750.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,650.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $40.00 – $152.75Uncirculated: $240.00 – $1,645.00
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eBayUncirculated: $434.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,650.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,553.00 – $2,820.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $235.00Uncirculated: $312.00 – $1,380.00
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eBayCirculated: $92.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $280.00Uncirculated: $300.00 – $950.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $763.75 – $3,120.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,900.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $85.00 – $247.00Uncirculated: $264.00 – $1,057.50
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eBayUncirculated: $260.85
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $285.00Uncirculated: $300.00 – $950.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $881.25 – $1,800.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,100.00 – $1,750.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $132.00 – $793.00Uncirculated: $192.00 – $1,057.50
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $32.00 – $280.00Uncirculated: $300.00 – $950.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $646.25 – $1,410.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1,910.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $475.00 – $1,600.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,232.50 – $3,360.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $500.00 – $2,450.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $114.00 – $384.00Uncirculated: $305.50 – $1,980.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,300.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,175.00 – $1,792.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $156.00 – $312.00Uncirculated: $288.00 – $1,528.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $450.00 – $1,250.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,527.50
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $825.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $336.00Uncirculated: $235.00 – $1,004.63
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eBayCirculated: $26.25Uncirculated: $208.00 – $550.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $285.00Uncirculated: $300.00 – $1,800.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $329.00 – $3,878.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $450.00 – $825.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,645.00 – $12,000.00
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eBayUncirculated: $3,161.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $4,150.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $55.00Uncirculated: $264.00 – $1,175.00
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eBayCirculated: $139.00Uncirculated: $677.00 – $721.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,175.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $376.00 – $2,115.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $228.00 – $1,527.50
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $275.00Uncirculated: $1,525.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $900.00 – $1,057.50
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eBayUncirculated: $1,600.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $119.00Uncirculated: $192.00 – $1,200.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $285.00Uncirculated: $300.00 – $550.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $470.00 – $1,410.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $350.00 – $1,850.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,200.00 – $3,240.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $2,450.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $147.00 – $180.00Uncirculated: $132.00 – $940.00
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eBayCirculated: $44.00 – $225.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $450.00 – $600.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $470.00 – $2,232.50
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $144.00Uncirculated: $212.00 – $1,645.00
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eBayCirculated: $220.00Uncirculated: $325.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $85.00 – $275.00Uncirculated: $300.00 – $950.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,527.50
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $312.00 – $2,340.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,000.00 – $1,800.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,645.00 – $1,880.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $216.00Uncirculated: $264.00 – $1,440.00
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eBayUncirculated: $295.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,300.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,056.25
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $144.00Uncirculated: $282.00 – $1,292.50
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eBayCirculated: $61.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $285.00Uncirculated: $300.00 – $650.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,410.00 – $2,820.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,750.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $119.00 – $130.43Uncirculated: $99.00 – $1,821.25
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eBayCirculated: $34.00 – $144.30
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $285.00Uncirculated: $300.00 – $1,800.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $408.00 – $2,350.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $475.00 – $1,600.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $156.00 – $212.00Uncirculated: $276.00 – $2,173.75
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eBayCirculated: $26.00 – $96.00Uncirculated: $227.25
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $525.00 – $1,850.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $53.00 – $54.00Uncirculated: $199.75 – $2,350.00
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eBayCirculated: $110.00 – $115.00Uncirculated: $222.50 – $225.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $564.00 – $4,560.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,600.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $104.00 – $423.00Uncirculated: $360.00 – $1,560.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $600.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $822.50 – $940.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $850.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $41.00 – $336.00Uncirculated: $264.00 – $1,880.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $700.00 – $1,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,585.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $53.00 – $188.00Uncirculated: $99.00 – $2,232.50
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eBayUncirculated: $200.00 – $300.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $285.00Uncirculated: $300.00 – $1,850.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,080.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,600.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $188.00Uncirculated: $182.13 – $2,040.00
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eBayCirculated: $23.98 – $202.50Uncirculated: $199.00 – $717.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $285.00Uncirculated: $300.00 – $950.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $446.50 – $2,160.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1,050.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $475.00 – $1,600.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,057.50 – $7,931.25
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eBayUncirculated: $4,995.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $4,150.00 – $7,250.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $276.00 – $3,818.75
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eBayCirculated: $50.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $450.00 – $7,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $432.00 – $1,645.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,645.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $228.00Uncirculated: $288.00 – $1,410.00
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eBayUncirculated: $550.00 – $1,750.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $275.00 – $950.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,645.00 – $1,880.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $129.25 – $192.00Uncirculated: $228.00 – $1,410.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1,750.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $450.00 – $1,050.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,585.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $264.00 – $646.25
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eBayUncirculated: $1,425.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $450.00 – $950.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $288.00 – $1,292.50
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $350.00 – $775.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $600.00 – $720.00
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eBayUncirculated: $725.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $288.00 – $851.87
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eBayCirculated: $35.00 – $50.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $260.00Uncirculated: $300.00 – $600.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $408.00 – $1,880.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $600.00 – $1,600.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,040.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $132.00 – $1,527.50Uncirculated: $2,467.50
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eBayUncirculated: $2,250.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1,525.00Uncirculated: $2,450.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,821.00 – $5,875.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $55.00 – $312.00Uncirculated: $734.00 – $2,056.25
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $425.00 – $500.00Uncirculated: $1,300.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $240.00 – $1,292.50
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eBayUncirculated: $282.00 – $525.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $450.00 – $1,300.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $588.00 – $2,232.50
Design and Specifications of the 1853 Cent
The 1853 Cent, also known as the Large Cent, was part of the Braided Hair series that ran from 1839 to 1857. This was the final design of the large cent before it was replaced by the smaller Flying Eagle cent in 1857. The year 1853 was significant as it marked the height of the California Gold Rush, which had a substantial impact on the American economy and coinage.
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 surrounding 'ONE CENT', designed by Christian Gobrecht |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
Condition is crucial for the value of 1853 Cents. While lower-grade examples are relatively common, specimens in Uncirculated condition are scarce and highly sought after. Coins with original red color command significant premiums, as most have toned to brown over time.
The strike quality can vary, with some coins showing weakness in certain areas. Well-struck examples with full details are more desirable. Surface quality is also important, with clean, problem-free surfaces being highly valued by collectors.
Mintage: 6,641,131
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant for this year
Market Demand: Moderate, with higher demand for well-preserved specimens
Toning can play a significant role in the value of 1853 Cents. Coins with attractive, natural toning are often more desirable than those with dull or unappealing color. The presence of original mint luster, especially on higher-grade examples, can greatly enhance the coin’s value.
While not particularly rare as a date, the 1853 Cent is part of the popular Large Cent series, which has a dedicated following among collectors. Complete date sets of Large Cents are challenging to assemble in high grades, making well-preserved 1853 examples important for advanced collectors.