1849 Small Date, Restrike Proof

The 1849 Small Date Restrike proof was produced after the original Small Date proofs, using the 1849 Small Date obverse die to create additional specimens for collector demand. The restrike is identified by die characteristics that differ from the original striking: evidence of die wear, a different reverse pairing, or other diagnostic features documented in specialist references.

As with other restrikes, the 1849 Small Date Restrike is a genuine Mint product that was not made in the year it bears. The coin provides an alternative to the extremely rare Small Date Original for collectors who need a Small Date 1849 proof to complete their variety sets. The price differential between the Original and Restrike reflects the production timing distinction and the relative populations.

The three proof varieties of the 1849 half cent (Large Date, Small Date Original, and Small Date Restrike) create one of the more complex year-entries in the Braided Hair proof sequence. A collector pursuing completeness faces three separate acquisitions for a single date, each rare in its own right. A collector content with a single representative 1849 proof can choose whichever variety appears first at an acceptable price.

The 1849 Small Date Restrike is scarce but not impossible to find. The restrike program produced enough examples that the coin appears at auction periodically, and patient searching will eventually produce an opportunity. Quality varies, as always with early copper proofs, and the premium for choice surfaces is worth paying if the budget allows.