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Braided Hair Large Cents • 1839–1857 1840 Large Date →
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1839 Type of 1840

Large Cents · Braided Hair Large Cents · 1839–1857
Regular
Weight10.89 g
Diameter27.5 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage Included in 1839 Coronet Head mintage of 3,128,661
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition100% Copper
DesignerChristian Gobrecht
Collector's Key IDCK-244

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Varieties & References

No additional varieties recorded for this strike.

External references

About this coinHistory

The 1839 Type of 1840 large cent is a transitional coin that bridges the Coronet Head and Braided Hair designs. The obverse portrait has been modified from the standard 1839 Coronet Head, with hair treatment and proportions that anticipate the Braided Hair design Christian Gobrecht would fully introduce in 1840. The coin carries an 1839 date but a portrait that belongs stylistically to the next era.

Gobrecht, who had already designed the Seated Liberty silver coins and the 1836 silver dollar, was refining the large cent portrait throughout 1839. The Type of 1840 represents one stage of that refinement: a coin struck in 1839 from dies that incorporated the design changes destined for full implementation the following year.

For collectors, the 1839 Type of 1840 is classified with the Braided Hair series rather than the Coronet Head, because the portrait style aligns more closely with the post-1839 design. It is the entry point to the Braided Hair date set and a coin that documents the gradual nature of design transitions at the Mint.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G) $33 $38
VG-8 Very Good (VG) $40 $46
F-12 Fine (F) $65 $75
VF-20 Very Fine (VF) $96 $111
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $210 $240
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU) $380 $440
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS) $770 $890
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS) $1,845 $1,955
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1839 Type of 1840 Braided Hair Large Cent worth?
In Good condition it runs about $33–$38, rising to roughly $770–$890 in Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
What is a 1839 Type of 1840 Braided Hair Large Cent made of?
100% Copper, weighing 10.89 g.
What is the melt value of a 1839 Type of 1840 Braided Hair Large Cent?
Its melt value is its metal content multiplied by the current spot price. See our melt calculator on the metals pages for a live figure.
Is the 1839 Type of 1840 Braided Hair Large Cent a key date?
It's a more common date overall, though scarcer die varieties may carry a premium — see the varieties list.