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1855 Upright 55
| Weight | 10.89 g |
| Diameter | 27.5 mm |
| Mint | Philadelphia |
| Strike | Circulation strike |
| Mintage | 1,574,829 Combined mintage for all 1855 varieties |
| Edge | Plain |
| Alignment | ↑↓ Coin |
| Composition | 100% Copper |
| Melt value | — |
| Designer | Christian Gobrecht |
| Collector's Key ID | CK-291 |
Collection
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Other recorded varieties for 1855:
- 1855 Knob on Ear · Knob on Ear
- 1855 Slanted 55 · Slanted 55
External references
The 1855 Upright 55 large cent shows the date's final two digits standing vertically, without the rightward lean of the Slanted 55 version. The distinction is in the angle at which the numeral punch was held during die preparation. A straight, perpendicular strike produced the upright digits. The Upright 55 is less common than the Slanted version and carries a modest premium in equivalent grades.
The 1855 large cent was among the last of its kind. Chief Engraver James B. Longacre was refining the Flying Eagle design that would replace the large cent, and Mint Director James Ross Snowden was building congressional support for the change. The large copper cent was too heavy for its face value and too expensive to produce. The 1855 Upright 55 is a variety from the end of an era, struck in the same way large cents had been struck for decades, with no outward sign that the denomination had fewer than two years left.
Reference data only — not an appraisal.
| Grade | Description | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| G-4 | Good (G) | — | — |
| VG-8 | Very Good (VG) | — | — |
| F-12 | Fine (F) | — | — |
| VF-20 | Very Fine (VF) | — | — |
| EF-40 | Extremely Fine (EF) | — | — |
| AU-50 | About Uncirculated (AU) | — | — |
| MS-60 | Uncirculated (MS) | — | — |
| MS-63 | Choice Uncirculated (MS) | — | — |
How many 1855 Upright 55 Braided Hair Large Cents were minted?
What is a 1855 Upright 55 Braided Hair Large Cent made of?
What is the melt value of a 1855 Upright 55 Braided Hair Large Cent?
Is the 1855 Upright 55 Braided Hair Large Cent a key date?
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