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← 1846 Medium Date Braided Hair Large Cents • 1839–1857 1846 Tall Date →
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1846 Small Date

Large Cents · Braided Hair Large Cents · 1839–1857
Regular
Weight10.89 g
Diameter27.5 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 4,120,800 Combined mintage for all 1846 varieties
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition100% Copper
DesignerChristian Gobrecht
Collector's Key IDCK-266

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Varieties & References

Other recorded varieties for 1846:

External references

About this coinHistory

The 1846 Small Date large cent uses the most compact numeral punches for the date. The digits are shorter than both the Medium and Tall Date versions, creating a noticeably tighter date when compared side by side. The variety is identifiable by comparison with the other date sizes and is collected as a separate die marriage within the 1846 date set.

All three 1846 date sizes share the same Braided Hair obverse design and wreath reverse. The differences are confined to the date digits. A collector who wants a single 1846 cent can choose any of the three, but a variety specialist pursuing the complete set needs one of each. The Small Date is neither the scarcest nor the most common of the three. It circulated alongside the Medium and Tall Date coins, handling the same everyday transactions in shops and markets across the country.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G) $19.50 $23
VG-8 Very Good (VG) $30 $35
F-12 Fine (F) $33 $38
VF-20 Very Fine (VF) $48 $55
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $121 $140
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU) $245 $280
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS) $605 $695
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS) $1,230 $1,300
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1846 Small Date Braided Hair Large Cent worth?
In Good condition it runs about $19.50–$23, rising to roughly $605–$695 in Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1846 Small Date Braided Hair Large Cents were minted?
4,120,800 were struck (Combined mintage for all 1846 varieties).
What is a 1846 Small Date Braided Hair Large Cent made of?
100% Copper, weighing 10.89 g.
What is the melt value of a 1846 Small Date 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 1846 Small Date 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.